Abstract:

Motivation. Pandemics on a scale like the SARS-CoV-2 have never before affected humanity and the economy in times of globalization. This is why the following question seems to be interesting: what is the situation of business entities during this pandemic? Objective. The objective of the article is to identify the situation of enterprises operating in Poland during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in the context of the VUCA environment. Design/methodology. The objective has been achieved through the literature studies with critical analysis and empirical research. Findings. Research results have shown the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic poses serious implications for businesses in Poland. The results show that as many as 62% of enterprises are not able to stay on the market for more than 2 months without generating revenues. The most frequent strategies, the entrepreneurs had chosen was to minimize all costs related to operations (53.9%), implement "safe" actions, for example switching to remote work or selling via the Internet (52%) or looking for new business opportunities and market opportunities (44.1%). Interestingly, as many as 25% of the surveyed enterprises decided not to take any action and apply the strategy of waiting and observing the development of the situation. Results also have shown that the kind of support Polish entrepreneurs expect from the government are:, Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) exemption (85.9%), income tax exemption (69.7%), employees' salaries subsidies (49.3%) and subsidies to other fixed costs of the enterprise (47.9%). Limitations. Selected findings of empirical research only in the field of the situation of enterprises operating in Poland during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic have been presented.