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CHAPTER 9
THE IMPACT OF INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGIES ON BUSINESS
DURING THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC OUTBREAK
Luan Vardari, Qendrim Bytyqi and Ardelin Lumi
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Towards the end of 2019, it had been reported that a new kind
of Corona virus, COVID-19, appeared in Wuhan, China, and since then the
source of this virus is obscure. However, the new coronavirus is spreading
rapidly and has become a worldwide pandemic. Countries round the world are
implementing their own strategies in combating the epidemic.
Aim: In this chapter, the effects of information and communication technology
on the management and control of businesses in small- and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs) operating in Kosovo during the COVID-19 pandemic are
investigated. Moreover, since recently the SME’s in Kosovo have shown faster
development in terms of technology, thus the dimensions –the size of amount
(unit) of investment is being researched as well.
Methods: In this chapter, in an online survey method, respondents were needed
to answer using a Likert 5 scale has been applied. The results of online surveys
are taken from 54 businesses that were found suitable for evaluation. The data
are analysed using the SPSS 23 package program, and the results of frequency
analysis, averages and standard deviations were examined. It has been tried
to determine whether there is a difference within the approach to information
technologies of SMEs operating in Kosovo, based on the year of operation,
Managing Risk and Decision Making in Times of Economic Distress, Part B
Contemporary Studies in Economic and Financial Analysis, Volume 108, 143–158
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ISSN: 1569-3759/doi:10.1108/S1569-37592022000108B038