Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Entrepreneurial Capacity and Financial Security in Ukraine

Abstract

The article analyzes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on business activities in Ukraine and the world and its financial security. The analysis showed that the economy of Ukraine and most countries of the world suffered significant losses from the introduction of anti-epidemic restrictions on business activity, which turned out to be in the fall of GDP, index of industrial production investment activity. Because of temporary or complete shutdown of business the unemployment rate increased significantly. The pandemic crisis also negatively impacted the financial results of enterprises, which decreased significantly in all kinds of economic activities, especially in industry, transport, temporary accommodation and catering, where the share of unprofitable enterprises reaches 73%. Thus, the problem of ensuring the financial security of business becomes relevant. The aim of the work is to develop methodological approaches to assessing the impact of the pandemic crisis on the financial security of business and to identify effective ways of ensuring such security. In the process of research methods of scientific abstraction, comparative and system analysis and synthesis, systematization and logical generalization were used. It was determined that the pandemic affected small and medium businesses most of all, where a strong negative impact was experienced by more than 60% of entrepreneurs. Large businesses were less affected, but they also suffered significant losses due to the decline in business activity and demand in the domestic and foreign markets. Agriculture was least affected by the pandemic, which suffered the least losses, primarily due to the insignificant impact of restrictions affecting the activities of this business. The paper systematized the risks arising from the factors of the pandemic crisis, identifying their manifestations and financial implications for business. As shown by the research, such consequences are manifested in the form of full or partial loss of profits, problems with debt repayment, reduction of financial stability, liquidity, increase in accounts receivable, increased costs for anti-epidemic measures, etc. Thus, the procedure for assessing the business’s financial security is to take into account all factors that shape the financial situation of business entities during a pandemic crisis in a comprehensive manner.