Intl. Conference on Economics, Finance & Business, Paris

BUSINESS RESILIENCE THROUGH COOPERATION NETWORKS: A FOCUS ON BUSINESS CONTINUITY AND TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP IN MICROENTERPRISES IN ZONE 5 OF ECUADOR

MARIO FERNÁNDEZ SOLIS

Abstract:

The study addressed a critical issue in the Ecuadorian business context. Microenterprises represent a significant portion of the country's economy and workforce, but they face significant challenges such as lack of financing, poor planning, and weak leadership. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated these problems, highlighting the need to address business resilience in this sector. The overall objective of the study was to assess the resilience capacity of microentrepreneurs using mixed-method research techniques applied to a stratified sample of microenterprises, with the purpose of proposing strategies for forming cooperation networks and mechanisms to enhance transformational leadership. The methodology used combined quantitative and qualitative methods along with a systematic review of literature. The study was executed in three phases: diagnosis, analysis, and results. In the diagnosis phase, a survey was conducted on a stratified sample of microentrepreneurs. The measurement focused on the participants' business resilience capacity as well as their knowledge of cooperation networks and transformational leadership. The sample was selected in a representative manner from the main provinces of Zone 5, considering criteria such as population, location, and accessibility. The analysis phase involved data processing using advanced statistical tools. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with leaders and managers of selected microenterprises to explore in-depth their experiences and perceptions related to cooperation networks and transformational leadership. The results showed a significant link between cooperation networks among microenterprises and resilience. Key factors of transformational leadership that can contribute to improving business quality, continuity, quality of life, and competencies as active entrepreneurs within their communities will be identified, effects oriented towards development, sustainability, and improvement of management in microenterprises.

Keywords: Resilience, Cooperation Networks, Transformational Leadership, Microenterprise