Management of a transport company during the Covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

Purpose: The end of the first quarter of 2020 is the beginning of a new, difficult time in the functioning of transport companies, as well as the entire Polish and world economy. The appearance of Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2) resulted in a number of market restrictions and a sharp decline in transport orders. Enterprises had to change the way they were managed and operated, had to adapt to a different economic reality in order to continue to prosper. The aim of the article is to define the essence of managing a transport company in the new market and economic conditions that appeared during the Covid-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach: The research procedure included review of polish and foreign literature, analysis of legal acts, questionnaire research, analysis of the content of internal documents of transport companies, method of analysis and synthesis, case study, methods of inductive and deductive reasoning. The article presents the results of scientific research on the impact of Covid-19 on the management and decisions made in a transport company. Findings: The high level of impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the management of a transport company has been demonstrated. The factor that most influenced the management and decisions of transport companies is the decline or fear of a decline in contracts for transport services. Transport companies are afraid of the further negative effects of the pandemic, and therefore do not want to take out investment loans in order to develop the company. The article discusses the activities of transport companies and the management of a transport company in crisis conditions. Research limitations/implications: The article presents a survey carried out in Polish transport companies from the Podkarpackie and Lubelskie voivodships. Therefore, the research results concern the area of south-eastern Poland. Practical implications: The results of the research may be helpful for managers of transport companies (management decisions made) in order to limit the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on their business activities. Originality/value: The presented research and conclusions provide practical guidance to managers about what decisions and actions can improve the economic condition of their transport companies in the difficult period of the Covid-19 pandemic, based on the example of the analyzed transport companies.