Ensuring Sustainability during a Crisis Using an Innovative Flexible Methodology

Daniela Dobreva Pastarmadzhieva,Blaga Petrova Madzhurova,Stefan Atanasov Raychev,Kiril Valkov Desev,Mina Nikolaeva Angelova

doi:10.3390/su14052996

Daniela Dobreva Pastarmadzhieva, Blaga Petrova Madzhurova + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su14052996

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Journal: Sustainability	Publication Date: Mar 4, 2022
Citations: 1	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Plovdiv University

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic forced national governments and administrations to seek flexible solutions to deal with the emergency. Thus, the main purpose of the current study is to design a model of a flexible methodology based on detailed flexible methodologies to make decisions and measures connected to COVID-19 pandemic to be effectively applied without the loss of meaning and within a short time. For the creation of the methodology, we used comprehensive desk research based upon a literature review in the period May 2021–November 2021. As a result, an expandable set of relevant methodologies for crisis management and flexible methodologies was identified, modeled, and formalized using a broad literature review and an innovative model of a flexible methodology for crisis management was created in accordance with standardized concepts, transforming them into secondary use models. Furthermore, an algorithm for taking measures and decisions in crisis conditions was designed. The next step is to implement the methodology, which is planned for future empirical research. The findings provide an innovative model of a flexible methodology that could be used by academic and business representatives, public institutions of central and local government, and private stakeholders.

Highlights

Crisis management is a key topic in research in different fields of sciences focused on pro-active suggestions to overcome the negative consequences on the economy, political environment, social environment, etc
The main purpose of the current study is to design a model of a flexible methodology based on detailed methodologies to make decisions and measures connected to COVID-19 pandemic to be effectively applied without loss of meaning and within a short time
The research design choice is driven by our aims and priorities, and it is based on qualitative research design that tend to be more flexible and inductive, allowing us to adjust our approach based on what we find throughout the research process

Summary

Introduction

Crisis management is a key topic in research in different fields of sciences focused on pro-active suggestions to overcome the negative consequences on the economy, political environment, social environment, etc. What is happening can be defined as a constant search for a balance between the need to “restart” the national economy—to avoid social unrest and bankruptcies—and to prevent a consequent wave of the pandemic. This is a critical moment, because the danger of a slowdown in growth is the possibility of translating the economic crisis into the financial system. The theoretical basis for crisis management, as part of the science of economics and management, has not yet found an integrative approach and has not developed and implemented a methodology to support the management of emergencies in societies (including those aimed at the so called “triangle of knowledge”: science–business–society)

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Conclusion