SMEs´ Resilience Model based on Maturity Cycle

Abstract

Currently, companies deal with the consequences of disruptive events derived from climate change; increased number of hurricanes, changes in wildlife species ... SMEs are more vulnerable due to their limited financial, human and operational resources. This demands that companies have greater resilience, incorporating strategies adapted for the development a maturity to face in this situation. This article proposes a qualification model to know the maturity status of SMEs based on their resilience. To test the model, fieldwork has been carried out, interviewing three Mexican SMEs, which managed the effects of sargassum in Puerto Morelos; exposure to large amounts of sargassum in decomposition affects a person with symptoms such as nausea, tearing and headaches, including allergic skin reactions. The use of the instrument allowed identifying the level of maturity of the companies linking with the main practices used to increase resilience capacities. According to the findings, SMEs have no preparation plans, until when they learned about the impact, because of the crisis. It was clear, with 2 SMEs that the years’ experience with other natural disruptions helps them to find new market opportunities to transform their business and help each other as a community.