Drawing on the Situational Crisis Communication theory (SCCT), this study recapitulates the initiatives, practices, and responses of the Egyptian government and chain-managed five-star hotels durin...

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/14673584211002614

A content analysis for government’s and hotels’ response to COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt

The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown regulations, which came into being in South Africa on 26 March 2020, has had a major impact on the country’s economy and specifically tourism. All sub-sectors of the tourism sector has been adversely affected, with many business events either cancelled or postponed to a later date post the lockdown period. The study aims to examine the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business events sub-sector in South Africa. Furthermore, the study explores how the business events sub-sector responded to the many challenges associated with the pandemic and offers critical insights into how the business events sub-sector mitigated some of the challenges. The study followed a qualitative approach with purposive sampling being adopted, targeting representatives of the business events associations. The study revealed that the lockdown’s economic impact resulted in lost income for organisations due to postponed or cancelled events. The lack of income also placed numerous jobs at risk. However, the business events sub-sector also introduced innovative measures allowing them to pursue some business opportunities, such as virtual events, hybrid events and the upskilling of staff.

The Economic Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Business Events Sub-sector in South Africa: Mitigation Strategies and Innovations

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendapatkan gambaran dampak awal pandemi covid-19 terhadap pariwisata Sumatera Barat secara makro maupun mikro dengan menggunakan data primer dan sekunder. Data primer diperoleh dari hasil survei terhadap 31 destinasi wisata dengan menggunakan survei online dan data sekunder berasal dari publikasi BPS dan Instansi Pemerintah Provinsi Sumatera Barat, web resmi pemerintah dan non  pemerintah serta lembaga lainnya. Dengan menggunakan metode kuantitatif dan analisis deskriptif diperoleh hasil temuan bahwa pandemi covid-19 berdampak signifikan terhadap penurunan jumlah kunjungan wisatawan dan pendapatan sektor transportasi dan pergudangan serta penyediaan akomodasi dan makan minum, tenaga kerja, kerugian dan penurunan pendapatan usaha. Rekomendasi yang diusulkan adalah kebijakan kolaborasi yang melibatkan stake holder terkait pada dua tahap yaitu tahap masa pandemi dan pasca pandemi dalam rangka pemulihan sektor pariwisata dan mitigasi krisis pariwisata kedepannya

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Impact of the covid-19 pandemic on west sumatera tourism

PurposeThe goal of this study is to learn about of the strategic framework used by event organizers in Indonesia to survive the COVID-19 pandemic. This effort is also used to see how crisis management is implemented in the organization, particularly in relation to the company's efforts to maximize technology in this COVID-19 crisis situation.Design/methodology/approachThis is a qualitative study that employs the case study method with a single intrinsic case. Researchers chose six sources based on the range of responsibilities and authorities they have.FindingsTo remain viable faced with COVID-19 pandemic, event organizers must adopt an open communication strategy, be ready to adapt to changing conditions and take bold steps in crisis management. In general, Garuda Organizer's crisis management strategy consists of five stages: crisis research, forming a crisis team, planning crisis management steps, implementing a new work system and adapting to the new system's culture.Research limitations/implicationsThe focus of this research is on how to deal with crisis strategies in the world of event organizer from the standpoint of innovation diffusion. This study cannot be generalized because it is limited to efforts to formulate a strategic framework carried out by event organizer companies in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, not seeing the effectiveness of the strategy.Practical implicationsThis research, in addition to its theoretical implications, provides practical contributions to the event organizer industry. The pandemic encourages every event organizer company to always be prepared to adapt to changing conditions. There is no such thing as a static condition; rather, it can change abruptly at any time. As a result, the most important requirement is a quick and precise response. Responsive leadership will ensure that the adaptation process goes smoothly. With uncertain conditions, businesses must be prepared to respond to any changes that occur at any time. Sometimes desperate action is required because it must be done quickly. Aside from that, do not overlook openness management. It will be easier to manage a crisis if all available communication channels are opened. Opening all communication channels allows all components of the company to participate in overcoming the crisis. The participation of all parties will make it easier to deal with any crisis that arises. This transparency is carried out not only within the company, but also with parties outside the company, such as the government as a regulator, company partners and community members who use our services. Aside from that, a willingness to change and step outside of one's comfort zone is required both within the company and for each individual employee. The company's willingness to try new things and learn quickly becomes critical for businesses in the midst of a crisis. As in the case of Garuda Organizer, a willingness to constantly learn and develop a new culture that is more in line with current conditions will make the company more adaptable in dealing with crises. Thus, effective crisis-response strategies can be developed quickly. When we are at ease in certain circumstances, as employees, we are often hesitant to change, even if the times or circumstances have changed dramatically. It is necessary to avoid the comfort of the status quo. It takes self-will to change in a crisis like this. What does not change will be forgotten by time. To maintain the continuity of the company's activities, all employees must be willing to give up their comfort and possibly make a small sacrifice (including time and effort). If companies can unite the interests of companies and individuals who work as employees (As the management and employees of Garuda Organizer have done by devoting more time to the company's future and delving deeper into one's own potential), they will undoubtedly survive the current crisis.Social implicationsThis study discovered that even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is fraught with restrictions, there still are event organizer companies striving to provide the best service. The Garuda Organizer company strives to provide good service to its customers by disseminating innovations. Despite the limited circumstances, the public continues to enjoy events in a novel format, namely through virtual spaces.Originality/valueThis study identifies the use of technology as a means to overcome the problem of organizing events in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and maps the complexity of the innovation adoption process in Indonesian event organizer firms.

The crisis management strategies of Indonesian event organizers in the face of COVID-19

The most important thing that needs to be considered in a pandemic is the economic sector recovery mechanism due to the lockdown policy, especially in Indonesia. This lockdown policy is an anticipatory step from the Government to the chainbreak of Covid-19s spread. The application of digital marketing at a strategic level is carried out as an alternative solution to traditional marketing becomes more comprehensive. So, this research aims to build and develop a model that is ideal for micro-enterprises adoption in Indonesia. This research uses an exploratory qualitative approach. Data sources were obtained through observation, interviews, and literature studies. The micro-enterprise adoption process comprises (1) the initiation phase, (2) the decision-making phase, and (3) the outcomes phase. The advantages of this program are (1) increase trust from existing customers and acquiring potential new customers, (2) novelty in technological sophistication, (3) expanding market share, and (4) increasing competitiveness. DOI: 10.18421/SAR43-07 https://doi.org/10.18421/SAR43-07 Corresponding  author:  Febrianur  Ibnu  Fitroh  Sukono

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Implementation of Digital Marketing for Economic Recovery of Micro Small Enterprise after Covid-19

Since the beginning of 2020 COVID-19 engulfed the world halting the daily activities. In a matter of weeks, the pandemic had threatened health and lives of millions of people worldwide. By the last quarter of the month of March 2020 several countries in the world including Rwanda had imposed travel restrictions and lockdown measures to combat COVID-19 pandemic. This led to unprecedented levels of mass commercial flight cancellations and travel restrictions, forcing millions to alter their travel plans. Both international and domestic tourists cancelled bookings in Rwanda and outbound tourism activities were also banned. Airlines had cancelled flights, while hotels were almost completely vacant. Consequently, tour operators were facing huge economic losses and employment cuts in Rwanda. According to the Minister for Trade and Industry, Soraya by July 21st 2020 Rwanda’s MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) industry had been hit by a $48 million (over Rwf45 billion) loss as a result of the global Covid-19 crisis. The purpose of this paper was to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism in Rwanda. The study covered a period of 7 months (December, 2019- July, 2020). The study adopted a descriptive survey design. 36 general managers of hotels offering MICE tourism for a period of three years from 2017-2020 in Kigali Province were targeted. A sample of 34 respondents was determined from this population using purposive sampling technique. Both primary and secondary data was collected. Primary data was collected using the questionnaire while for secondary data the study reviewed journals, historical records, newspaper articles, World Health Organization statistics, government data, and website materials on COVID-19 incidences in tourism. Data analysis was done with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 21. The study findings revealed that 58.8% of the respondents strongly agreed that COVID-19 created conditions and disruptions forcing socio-behavioural changes on societies . In addition, 76.5% of the respondents strongly agreed that MICE consumers in Rwanda had been seriously curtailed by the pandemic . Moreover, 64.7% of the respondents agreed that their hotel expectations of the right to unfettered mobility across national borders has been severely challenged by government responses to COVID-19, 35.3% . Furthermore, a combination of (82.4%) of the respondents agreed that closure of attractions and tourism facilities had negatively affected the MICE tourism . Lastly, 61.8% agreed that virtual events mainly served as a good substitute for recession-prone exhibitors and attendees during COVID-19 while 32.8% strongly agreed. A half of the respondents representing 50% also strongly agreed that travel restrictions on rights to visit friends and family had negatively impacted the MICE tourism . From the review of respondents, the study noted that MICE consumers had not only been affected in Rwanda alone but globally. In general, there was no doubt that the hospitality and tourism sector was operating at a loss. The study concluded that in Rwanda, COVID-19 had adversely impacted MICE tourism. Based on the study findings the study recommended to the Government of Rwanda to continue imposing measures to combat the pandemic. Since the end of the pandemic was not predetermined there was need to continuously address both on an on-going basis as the pandemic and its effects evolved over time and place and as a retrospect once the new hospitality and tourism in Rwanda to make the sector sustainable during and after the pandemic. Future studies can be carried in other districts of the country. Also, a study on MICE tourism preparedness in responding to the crisis and recovery of their enterprises can be carried out. Keywords: Meetings, Incentives, Conferences Exhibitions, COVID-19, Tourism CITATION: Rwigema, P. C. (2020). Impact of Covid-19 pandemic to Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism in Rwanda . The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management, 7(3), 395 – 409.

Impact of covid-19 pandemic to meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (mice) tourism in rwanda

Economic disruptions from COVID-19 have left Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises MSMEs in Rwanda struggling to survive. Many Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Rwanda saw their incomes disappear overnight because of COVID-19. The impact of the pandemic on the business operations, supply chains, as well as the household income and expenditure of MSMEs was greatly affected by the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) which severely affected the global and Rwandan economy at large. It delved deeper into the coping strategies these enterprises adopted to mitigate the effects of this disruption among MSMEs in Rwanda. To control and contain the pandemic; Rwanda implemented a range of containment measures including border closure, suspension of domestic travel, cancellation of public gatherings, institutions teleworking, and closure of schools, places of worship, and non-essential businesses. These measures worked well for Rwanda to contain the pandemic, as of 21 st December 2020, Rwanda reported 7,402 cases of COVID-19 infection. However, these measures negatively affected the livelihoods of many Rwandans, especially those who earn their living on daily basis. Furthermore, the measures also considerably affected the Microfinance sector which serves the majority of the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME and SMEs). The target population was the Rwandan microfinance sector that consists of 460 institutions, of which three are microfinance banks, 19 limited liability companies, 416 Umurenge SACCOs, and 22 non-Umurenge SACCOs. The microfinance sector serves nearly four million micro, medium, and small entrepreneurs (MSMEs and SMEs) in Rwanda, as per the Association of Microfinance Rwanda (AMIR). The article adopted an exploratory methodology with comprehensively reviewing the available literature, including policy documents, research papers, and reports in the relevant field. C ombination of quantitative and qualitative methods was used to analyze data, while questionnaires and interviews were used to collect data. Further, to add empirical evidence, the study collected data from 110 MSMEs registered in Kigali province by administering an online questionnaire. The data were analyzed through descriptive statistics. The results indicated that most of the participating enterprises had been severely affected and they were facing several issues such as financial, supply chain disruption, decrease in demand, reduction in sales and profit, among others. The study estimated a large increase in the failure rate of MSMEs under COVID-19 of nearly 9 percentage points, absent government support. Accommodation & Food Services, Arts, Entertainment & Recreation, Education, and Other Services are among the most affected sectors. The jobs at risk due to COVID-19 related MSMEs business failures represented 3.1 percent of private sector employment. Despite the large impact on business failures and employment, we estimated only moderate effects on the financial sector: the share of Non-Performing Loans on bank balance sheets would increase by up to 11 percentage points, representing 0.3 percent of banks’ assets and resulting in a 0.75 percentage point decline in the common equity Tier-1 capital ratio. The results had important implications for the severity of the COVID-19 recession, the design of policies, and the speed of the recovery. Keywords:  COVID-19, MSMEs, Rwanda, Crisis, Policy Recommendations, MSMEs Survival CITATION: Rwigema, P. C. (2020). Effect of covid-19 on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Rwanda. The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management, 7 (4), 1630 – 1655.

EFFECT OF COVID-19 ON MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (MSMEs) IN RWANDA

Global warming has become one of the major challenges in maintaining global food security. Climate change triggered by global warming poses a major threat to agricultural systems globally and in East Africa in particular. This phenomenon is characterized by emergence of pests and diseases, extreme weather events, such as prolonged drought, high intensity rains, hailstones and frosts, which are becoming more frequent thus, impacting negatively agricultural productivity including rain-fed tea cultivation. East Africa countries are predominantly an agriculturally based economy, with the tea and coffee sector playing key role as a cash crop. In the recent years, however, the countries have witnessed unstable trends in tea and coffee production associated with climate driven stresses. Toward mitigation and adaptation of climate change, multiple approaches for impact assessment, intensity prediction and adaptation have been advanced in the East Africa countries tea sub-sector. This review described simulation models combined with high resolution climate change scenarios required to quantify the relative importance of the climate change on tea and coffee production. In addition, both biodiversity and ecosystem-based approaches were also described as a part of an overall adaptation strategy to mitigate adverse effects of climate change on tea and coffee in the East Africa countries and gaps highlighted for urgent investigations. Climate variability and change have adversely affected agriculture sector and the situation is expected to worsen in the future. The paper found out that climate variability and change affect agricultural production but effects differ across crops. It was found that temperature has a negative effect on tea and coffee revenues but a positive one on tea, while rainfall has a negative effect on coffee. The paper found out that tea relies on stable temperatures and consistent rainfall patterns and any excess would negatively affect production. Temperature has a greater impact on crop production than rainfall. Climate change will adversely affect agriculture in 2020, 2030 and 2040 with greater effects in the tea sector. Therefore, rethinking the likely harmful effects of rising temperatures and increasing rainfall uncertainty should be a priority in East Africa. Driven by competitive pressure, global production has consolidated among fewer origins: more than 70% of supply is now sourced from five countries. African production has dropped by 18% since 1990 and only Ethiopia and Uganda figure in the top 10 global ranking. African origins must consider how to improve productivity to remain competitive in global markets, but they also need to consider value addition to earn a higher share of what they produce.  Implementing adaptation measures at national, county and farm levels as well as putting in place policies that prevent destruction of the natural environment will assist to address the challenges posed by climate variability and change. Climate change is projected to increase median temperature by 1.4–5.5°C and median precipitation by −2% to 20% by the end of the 21st century. However, large levels of uncertainty exist with temporal and spatial variability of rainfall events. The impact of climate change on crop yields in the region is largely negative. Among the grain crops, wheat is reported as the most vulnerable crop, for which up to 72% of the current yield is projected to decline. Thus, as climate change puts both Arabica and Robusta coffee bean production at risk, it affects the supply of coffee. When we consider the increasing amount of coffee consumption in America and the decreasing availability of coffee beans around the world, a shortage will be inevitable; these developments will have far-reaching implications for farmer incomes and livelihoods, rural-to-urban migration, and international coffee prices and demand. If we don’t start acting to mitigate, or, in some cases, acknowledge climate change, it may soon be time to bid farewell to America’s coffee habit. However, a recent study in Scientific Reports has already offered cocoa as a more climate-resilient crop to serve as an alternative to coffee plants as coffee production declines. Keywords: Climate change, Tea farming, Coffee farming, East Africa CITATION: Rwigema, P, C. (2021). Combating climate change impacts in tea and coffee farming in East Africa: Theoretical perspective. The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management, 8 (2), 521 – 553.

Combating climate change impacts in tea and coffee farming in east africa: theoretical perspective

Digital revolution has taken place from the latter half of the 20th century, marking the beginning of the information age through political and social economic transformation. The ongoing digital transformation holds the promise of improving productivity performance by enabling innovation and reducing the costs of a range of business processes. But at the same time our economies have experienced a slowdown in productivity growth, sparking a lively debate about the potential for digital technologies to boost productivity. The digital transformation is having a wide-ranging impact on the business environment, creating both opportunities and challenges. Inter-related trends such as e-commerce, big data, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT) could lead to large productivity gains for the economy. However, disruption to existing business and social models, as well as established markets, will disrupt the lives of millions of citizens. The purpose of this paper was to assess the influence of digital technology and its relevance to political and social economic transformation in East African Community Region. The Cobb-Douglas production function is often used to analyse the supply-side performance and measurement of a country’s productive potential. This functional form, however, includes the assumption of a constant share of labor in output, which may be too restrictive for a converging country. For example, labor share in the East African countries gradually increased over the last decade. In this paper, we tested whether this fact renders the application of the Cobb-Douglas production function unreliable for the East Africa economy. The study applied a more general form of production function and allow labor share to develop according to the empirical data. For the period 2000–2019, the study found out that their significant difference between the digitization and adoption of ICT in East Africa Region. The results of the study showed that some firms, especially those who had embraced new technological methods of management had adopted new information technology and had established connection in all the EAC member-states. Although some countries like Burundi and Southern Sudan had not developed fully their technological infrastructure, we found out that some firms and individual businessmen within those countries had invested on appropriate information technology and were ready to use it. The results of this study showed that the application of the latest technology to promote intercountry trade had increased the volume of trade between member states Keywords: Digital revolution, Political and social economic transformation, East African Community Region CITATION: Rwigema, P. C. (2020). Digital technology and its relevance to political and social economic transformation. Case study of East African Community Region. The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management, 7 (4), 1402 – 1436.

Pierre-Celestin Rwigema

Papers

Impact of covid-19 pandemic to meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (mice) tourism in rwanda

EFFECT OF COVID-19 ON MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (MSMEs) IN RWANDA

Combating climate change impacts in tea and coffee farming in east africa: theoretical perspective

Digital technology and its relevance to political and social economic transformation. case study of east african community region