Ensuring resilience through fiscal responses to COVID-19; an empirical study of Mauritian micro small medium enterprises (MSMEs)
Journal of Entrepreneurship and Public Policy
ISSN: 2045-2101
Article publication date: 27 September 2022
Issue publication date: 25 October 2022
Abstract
Purpose
The official authorities have established several action plans including fiscal support measures to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) counter the negative repercussions of COVID-19. In this regard, the purpose of this research is to critically assess the recent fiscal policies endeavoured by the Mauritian authorities in response to COVID-19, to assess the awareness and perception of some local MSMEs of these initiatives, to investigate the extent to which these MSMEs have benefited from them and also, to suggest recommendations to the Mauritian authorities on how to enhance the existing framework to ensure sustainable and equitable development.
Design/methodology/approach
This study has adopted both the quantitative and qualitative research methods. Primary data were obtained by conducting a survey of some Mauritian MSMEs, and secondary data were obtained by referring to laws and policy papers on the research topic. Some statistical tests were performed using SPSS software on the primary data to illustrate the research findings.
Findings
Despite the laudable initiatives, the survey conducted for this research demonstrates that MSMEs in Mauritius have a moderate awareness of these fiscal support measures. Furthermore, upon being asked whether they have availed of these tax incentives, again a moderate mean average was derived which implies that not all MSMEs have fully benefited from fiscal support to help them in countering the negative effects of COVID-19.
Originality/value
At present, this study will be amongst the first academic writings on the effectiveness of the fiscal measures undertaken by the Mauritian authorities to deal with issues entailed by the COVID-19. The study is carried out with the aim of combining a large amount of empirical, theoretical, and factual information that can be of use to various stakeholders and not only to academics.
Keywords
Citation
Beebeejaun, A. (2022), "Ensuring resilience through fiscal responses to COVID-19; an empirical study of Mauritian micro small medium enterprises (MSMEs)", Journal of Entrepreneurship and Public Policy, Vol. 11 No. 2/3, pp. 292-308. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEPP-08-2022-0088
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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