Ledarskap under externa samhällskriser : En studie om ledarskapet betydelse om att hantera kriser och osäkerhet i små och medelstora företag

Sammanfattning

This study examines leadership in small and medium-sized enterprises during times of crisis and uncertainty. The background to the study is based om the social crises of recent years, such as the covid-19 pandemic, the financial crisis and the war in Ukraine, which have affected working methods, the economic conditions and making quick decisions.The study aims to explain how leadership contributes to organizational adaptability under uncertain conditions. The study was conducted using a qualitative research method where five semi-structured interviews were conducted with CEOs in different industries. The empirical material was analyzed using theories about entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial leadership, communication, uncertainty and resource management. The findings show that clear communication, rapid action and flexibility are important factors in leadership during crisis. The study also demonstrates that leaders often need to make decisions despite limited information and continuously adapt their organizations to changing conditions. For example developed new ways of working or used existing resources to manage uncertainty, the results further show that crises can create opportunities for development and innovation. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of how leadership is practiced in small and medium- sized enterprises under uncertain conditions and which strategies can strengthen organizations`ability to adapt in crisis situations.