Auxiliary management methods supporting process maturity : has the pandemic changed anything?

Abstract

PURPOSE: The dynamics of changes in the enterprises’ environment in the last two years can be considered in two ways. On the one hand, the external conditions, including potential market opportunities, have changed dramatically due to the limitations of the Coronavirus pandemic. On the other hand, enterprises were forced to change their work style to a remote one for the same reason. During the conducted research, attempts were made to determine whether external conditions have changed and how they influenced the management of enterprises.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The research scope includes primarily small and mediumsized enterprises operating in various regions of Poland. The data was collected using an online survey. Due to the inability to obtain complete data for statistical analysis, the authors decided to use the Grey System Theory (GST). A descriptive scale was used in the questionnaire, which is also a good reason for using GST. The fundamental advantage of using GST is the possibility of drawing conclusions based on incomplete information.

FINDINGS: This research was conducted shortly before the pandemic in 2019 and 2021. The organization's maturity process awareness level and the scope of using selected management methods were analyzed. The relationship between this maturity process awareness level and the use of specific management methods has been indicated.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The paper presents significant differences between the factors in 2019 and 2021. The distinction is required to determine which elements and how much has changed due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This is the first study that determines the impact of each factor in organization maturity process awareness level using GST.