Conversion of Sars-Cov-2 threats into business opportunities by Polish outpatient clinics

Abstract

PURPOSES: The objective of this paper is to study the characteristics of the companies, which improved their performance in the Sars-Cov-2 period.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Given the novelty and complexity of the studied area, this exploratory study uses a case study approach. The research comprised 6 in-depth interviews and an analysis of documents obtained from the company, including financial ones.

FINDINGS: We have identified the studied 13-months period of the pandemic was not homogenous, but comprised 4 phases. The intensity and key challenges of the pandemic differed greatly in each of studied 4 phases. As a result, the priorities, operations and challenges of studied Company has been considerably adjusted in each of identified phases. The studied Company made a good use of low intensity phases, as to prepare to high intensity phases, developing, inter alia, Sars-Cov-2 healthcare activities and telemedicine. Next, we observed the significant decrease of prior pandemic sales segments and fast development of Sars-Cov-2 activities, the share of which increased to 63,7% of total Company’s sales in the first quarter of 2021.

PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION: We postulate the agile healthcare organizations can explore Sars-Cov-2 related businesses opportunities, which, if addressed well, should overweight the threats resulting from the pandemic.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The novelty of the article is the examination of the problem of maintaining business continuity, the identification and use of business opportunities in the Sars-Cov-2 pandemic for a specific case of a SME Company from the health care sector.