SUSTAINABILITY AND SOCIETY CBS2012

GROUP COMMUNITY PROJECT ASSIGNMENT

Theme: Impact of ​Covid-19 Pandemic and Sustainability for Micro and Small Enterprise
(MSE)
Date of Submission 8 January 2021
Assignment Group Community Project Assignment

LO
Total Marks Lecture’s Remark

Group Information: GROUP NUMBER 26

No Name Programme Student ID Email

1. Abdirizak Hassan Ahmed BBA AIU19092039 abdirizak.ahmed@student.aiu.edu.my

2. Mohammed Hassan Hussein BEE AIU19032005 hassan.ahmed@student.aiu.edu.my

3. Alieu Perry BBA - -

Nurul Nabilah Binti Noor

4. Soleh BECE AIU20092022 nabilah.soleh@student.aiu.edu.my

Nur Aneira Safiah Binti

5. Azam BECE AIU20092015 safiah.azam@student.aiu.edu.my
 Table of content

SUSTAINABILITY AND SOCIETY CBS2012 1

Table of content 2

List of table 3

Executive summary 4

2.0 Literature review 6

3.0 Methodology 8
3.1 Location and Respondents of the study 8
3.2 Sources of the data and sample 8
3.3 Data Collection Methods 9
3.3.1 Face-to-face interview 9

4.0 Findings from the interview 11

4.1 The business profile and objective 11
4.2 The business profile and objective 12
4.3 The impact of covid 19 on these two business 13
5.0 Conclusion and suggestions 16

References (APA format) 16

Appendices 17

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 List of table

Number of table Name of table

1 Kak Chaq Corner

2 Mr Sesay’s Business Centre

3 The impact of covid 19 on these two businesses

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 Executive summary
Covid-19 is a virus that can cause respiratory tract infections. However, this Covid-19
infection can be transmitted from human to human. Covid-19 is a pandemic that is plaguing the
world including Malaysia. Covid-19 disease has impacted the country especially the economy
and businesses large and small. Among the impacts given are the closure of small premises, the
reduction of customers visiting the premises, the setting of earlier operating hours set by the
government and the cancellation of catering for each program such as wedding invitations or
mosque invitations.
This report aims to recount the impact of Covid-19 that hit micro and small enterprises as
the economy collapsed. As a result, most people are unemployed at home because they do not
have a job scope for them. In addition, there are some large or small premises that lay off
workers because they can not afford to pay employees. Although they are compensated but that
is not enough if not working because they have a family to guard. The effects of the Covid-19
pandemic for micro and small businesses are increasing which has caused them to lack
financially in their lives because they only rely on the business. We have interviewed about the
impact of Covid-19 in two different places such as food stalls and grocery stores to see the
response they gave us. The response given by the business owner has been expected to occur
worldwide such as shortage of customers, density of operating hour, failure to reach the set sale
target and the more likely impact is the closure of the business. But to our knowledge, not only
food stall and grocery store enterprises are having an impact but the entire enterprise is having an
impact like this as well.
We must also break the Covid-19 chain by taking care of ourselves from this disease by
wearing masks, wearing hand sanitizers and keeping distance from society. We should not go to
places that have a lot of people to avoid getting Covid-19. As we know, Covid-19 cases have
increased day by day. If we feel we are having an affair with a person affected by Covid-19, we
must go to the hospital and do a swab test. If we are stubborn to take a swab test then Covid-19
will not decrease and will continue to hit the country and society. The government also played a
role by giving a little help to small enterprises to empower entrepreneurs not to give in to
Covid-19 and continue to do business until the situation improves.

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1.0 Introduction

Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) make a vital contribution to economic growth
and development. They represent a seedbed of entrepreneurial skills and innovation, contribute
to job creation, and are considered the backbone of the global economy. Despite the important
role of this sector in achieving more inclusive economic growth, access to finance for MSMEs
remains a challenge. ​A sustainable business, or a green business, is an enterprise that has
minimal negative impact or potentially a positive effect on the global or local environment,
community, society, or economy—a business that strives to meet the triple bottom line.

It is necessary to determine the influence of COVID-19 on small-scale business

productions. Firstly, while the effect of COVID-19 is projected to be negative in the overall
economy, small-scale businesses like mobile stalls, fruit street vendors, and small food facilities
are specially placed to be more severely impacted by steps taken to minimize the virus outbreak.
Secondly, independent small businesses with more than millions of employees play a pivotal role
in the development of new jobs. They are a critical part of the economy and livelihoods for
poorly-trained women and households. They are extremely crucial.

The result of the pandemic of the coronavirus has larger repercussions and hence seems
to be downright bad in general for the condition of the nation's small businesses. And in the
middle of April, operations were briefly halted and abandoned and more than half had dismissed
or squatted employees and they were briefly isolated

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2.0 Literature review
In the economies of most countries around the world, small and medium-sized enterprises
(SMEs) play a vital role, making important contributions to economic development and
employing large numbers of people. Collectively, small and medium-sized companies often have
a huge effect on the economy through their operations, goods and services. The acceptance of the
notion of environmental responsibility within the global business community has seen a
significant rise in recent years. The concept of environmental management has been gaining
wider attention. Globally, environmental protection policies have typically seen substantial
decreases in environmental effects, such as air emissions, water discharges, and at same time
increase the business profits.

Whilst the individual influence of small and medium-sized companies is small, their
collective impact is important. In most modern countries, SMEs usually account for about 95%
of all private sector companies, making them a large part of all economic activity. At least 65
million of the approximate 73 million legally incorporated employer companies worldwide are
SMEs. They are also a means of creativity and transformation within the corporate sector and
provide considerable support to the large corporations in which they co-exist. (Spence,
Rutherford, Blackburn 1998).

According to our interviews, the small businesses we had interviewed were running only
morning and afternoon, but not the evening and at the time they should work hard to attract the
customers in order to pay their expenses bill, so sometimes it is hard for them to find enough
money for the whole day. The business was a food service and it has been established for more
than 10 years and accurately the cash flows were so high before Covid 19 came. Literally,
COVID 19 has immensely impacted them as they have fewer employees. In 2007, about 99% of
business establishments in Malaysia consisted of SMEs, which contributed 32% to the gross
domestic product (GDP), provided 56% employment and accounted for 19% of total exports. As
a result, Covid 19 had impacted their way of life, in other words, some of them are working to
pay for their children and in recent months that became tough and led to using their savings.

According to the Sustainable Development Commission website, sustainable

development is a development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

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For an economical viewpoint, the lack of financial resources is representative and it is the result
of constraints on technical investment. At the same time, since the resources of SMEs 15 are
usually more limited than those of their larger counterparts, they are strongly dependent on
investors. SME digitalization is crucial to their long-term survival in an increasingly digital
economy, but the digital gap between companies poses tough challenges. While Covid-19 has
accelerated digitalization in general, SMEs are at risk of running behind. In shaping the future of
the Malaysian digital economy, government and policy interventions will play a crucial role
(Amos Tong & Rachel Gong, 2020)

Impact of the Covid 19 pandemic and sustainability for micro-small businesses are
increasing gradually and some people whose lives depend on those businesses are suffering these
days. The economy of the world reached the lowest rate ever and that's why everything is so
expensive recently, but the government should be concerned about the SME to increase their
contribution.

The data that we have been collecting from the two small businesses show that there is no
work opportunity for job seekers at all, and that depends on the cash flow of the businesses.
Based on their understanding of the relationship between economic, technical and environmental
aspects, including interactive cooperation and alliances, they should establish their own effective
strategies. In Liberia, the small business we had interviewed can only survive the impacts of
Covid19 in 6 months that means if the cases and the risks of Covid 19 increases that business
would be shut down. The street foods in Liberia have the least customers compared to big
restaurants. In fact, the data we have collected accurately says that the small medium size
businesses are in worse condition at this time and that can lead them jobless.

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3.0 Methodology
According to H. Odum, The case study method of data collection is a technique by which
individual factors whether it be an institution or just an episode in the life of an individual or a
group is analysed in its relationship to any other in the group. ​Methodology is the determination
of the most appropriate method in conducting research and is an organized system designed by
the researcher to solve the research problems. The researcher found out the data was primary
data. These discussions include discussions on research methods, study locations and study
respondents, data sources and samples, data collection methods and data analysis methods. The
research method used is intended to gather more accurate information.

3.1 Location and Respondents of the study

The study locations that have been selected are two small businesses. The first is a small
business in Malaysia with the address No. 5 Taman Sofiah, Jalan Kuala Kedah, 05400 Alor
Setar, Kedah. Second, is a small business in Liberia located at Benson Street Monrovia, Liberia.
The respondent for small business in Malaysia is Aslina Binti, Md Tahir. She is the owner of
Kak Chaq Corner. She has a Malaysian Skills Certificate. While for the respondent for small
business in Liberia is Boakai sesay. He is the owner of ​Mr. Sesay’s Business Center. He is a high
school graduate.

3.2 Sources of the data and sample

The sources of data that has been obtained is through interviews conducted at selected business
premises. The researcher prepared a question form containing 5 sections and 57 questions. The
first section is about business profile. The second section is how is the business being impacted
by covid 19. The third section is are they already or expected to make business adjusting
operations due to covid-19 pandemic. The fourth section is How long can your business survive
the impact from covid19 and the last section is How does the business weather the impact from
covid-19.

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3.3 Data Collection Methods
Data collection is the most important process in a study. Therefore, choosing the right way of
data collection is the most effective step to get the best results. Interviews are used to collect data
from a small group of subjects on a variety of topics. You can use structured or unstructured
interviews. The data collection method we have chosen is structured interview through
face-to-face interview. This method is easier to get information because when researchers meet
someone directly, a lot of information is available and it is also more detailed.

3.3.1 Face-to-face interview

● Greetings
Researchers came to the business premises, introduced themselves as well as the purpose
of coming to the premises. Researchers also give reference letters provided by course
lecturers to business owners and ask them to sign a consent statement. For the business
interview in Liberia, it was conducted by an off campus student in the group.

● Business profile
Researchers got the whole information for the business such as how the business started,
why they picked the name as their business name, when the business got started and the
capital needed at the first time to build the business.

● How the business get impacted by covid 19

Researchers ask the business owner how this covid 19 has an impact on their business.

● Are the business already/expected to go through covid 19

Researchers ask the business owner that they already or expected about the pandemic
cause by covid 19.

● How long they expected the business can survive because of the impact covid 19
Researchers ask the business owner how long they expected the business can survive
because of the pandemic.

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● How the business overcome from the impact on covid 19
Researchers ask the business owner how they overcome the problem in their business
impact from covid 19. Have they already planned about it?.

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4.0 Findings from the interview
The severity of the effects of COVID-19 on business is unprecedented. Poor economic and
financial results, demand cuts, supply chain disruptions and the direct impact of troubled sectors
on jobs challenge most economies. Almost all sectors feel the impact of this covid 19 even more
so the economic sector as well as giving a bad impact to traders. This section will discuss the
findings from the case studies based on 2 interviews that have been done.

Based on the interview Kak Chaq Corner is a food service business. Sells breakfast every
Sunday-Thursday. Hours of operation are from 6a.m. until 12p.m. Kak Chaq sells food like nasi
lemak, fried noodles, roti jala and a variety of kuih.

4.1 The business profile and objective

Business Name Kak Chaq Corner

Owners Name Aslina Binti Md Tahir

Types of Business Food services

Established 22 years

Business Location No 5, Taman Sofiah, Jalan Kuala Kedah,

05400 Alor Setar, Kedah.

Contact Number 016 5157076

Gender Female

The Highest Education College

No of Employee 2 People

Total Capital RM 2,500

Source of Finance Business Individual

Status of Business Ownership Individual

Email Address AslinaTahir@gmail.com

Table 1: Kak Chaq Corner

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 Based on the second interview, it has been conducted by an out campus student in the
group. Mr Sesay’s Business centre is a grocery store that operates on a daily basis. Operating
hours for Mr Sesay's Business Center are from 8.30 a.m. until 9.00 p.m. This grocery store sells a
variety of daily necessities.

4.2 The business profile and objective

Business Name Mr Sesay’s Business Centre

Owners Name Boakai Sesay

Types of Business Groceries

Established 5 years

Business Location Benson Street Monrovia, Liberia

Contact Number +231770150395

Gender Male

The Highest Education High School

No of Employee 3 People

Total Capital RM 10,000

Source of Finance Business Individual

Status of Business Ownership Individual

Email Address sesayboakai077@gmail.com

Table 2: Mr Sesay’s Business Centre

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4.3 The impact of covid 19 on these two business
Theme of impact Kak Chaq Corner
Reduction income Kak Chaq Corner
experienced a reduction in
income because usually the
mosque in front of her
business premises often
orders food at her shop
every week for the
congregation. However,
due to covid 19 activities in
the mosque could not be
carried out as usual and the
mosque no longer ordered
food in its shop.
Worker In terms of workers, Kak
Chaq Corner is not
impacted at all. Her worker
still remains 2 people
because they have been
working with Kak Chaq for
a long time. She will be
worried if the worker gets
sick. But Kak Chaq also
did not plan to increase the
number of employees
following the covid 19 case
which had an impact on her
business finances.
The impact of covid 19 Covid 19 has a huge
impact on everyone,
especially Businesses.
According to kak chaq
almost everyday she will
sell 5 chickens. But due to
13
Mr Sesay’s Business
Centre
Mr Sesay's business centre
also has a little reduction in
their income. Because
during the pandemic
people are not allowed to
leave the house without
any purpose and have to
take care of the movement.
If someone wants to buy
necessities, they must also
take turns.
In terms of workers, Mr
Sesay is not impacted at
all. He has 3 workers. He is
still worried if their
employees are getting sick,
but there are still 2 workers
to backup the duty. Mr
Sesay did not have a plan
to add workers following
the case of covid 19. He
needed to stabilize the
financial situation.
According to Mr Sesay, the
impact of covid 19 that he
has to face is that less
customers come to the
store and cause a lot of
food that has expired and

Operation hours
The conditional of
government
Business survive
Table 3: The impact of covid 19 on these two businesses
covid 19, it is very difficult
to sell 2 chickens a day
Operating hours give a
little impact to Kak Chaq
Corner. Before this she was
open as early as 6 a.m. and
closed at 10 a.m. but since
covid 19 hit, they will
close at 12 p.m. because
the food only ran out after
that time.
If the government ordered
a re-pandemic, Kak Chaq
Corner would have to
comply and close their
business and wait until the
end of the pandemic.
To always ensure that her
business runs and can meet
the demands of customers,
Kak Chaq has prepared a
plan to face the pandemic
if it will be held again.
Among the plans is to
make food delivery to
customers. Customers only
need to order, Kak Chaq
will deliver the food to
customers. With this, it can
reduce customer
movement.
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can no longer be used.
Expired food is returned to
the supplier.
At the beginning of the
pandemic, the government
ordered stores supplying
daily necessities to open in
the morning and close
before 7 p.m. It has slightly
disrupted Mr Sesay’s
Business Center operating
hours which are supposed
to be operating from
8.30a.m until 9.00 p.m.
If the government ordered
a re-pandemic, Mr Sesay
would have to comply and
follow all the orders and
wait until the end of the
pandemic.
To survive the business,
Mr. Sesay will improve his
marketing strategy. It is
possible to offer the
delivery of goods to the
customer's house so that it
makes it easier for the
customer to have
necessities without having
to leave the house.
 Overall, these two businesses have already been interviewed by researchers. Based on the
interview, the businesses have faced the impact of covid 19 and are struggling to find out the
method on how to survive their businesses. Kak Chaq Corner was the most affected than Mr
Sesay’s Business Centre. It is because Kak Chaq Corner was the eatery stall while Mr Sesay’s
was the groceries store. People still need to go to groceries in order to find their necessities.
However, most people already have awareness about the virus and avoid eating outside because
they want to stay safe.

5.0 Conclusion and suggestions

The conclusion is that we must protect ourselves from Covid-19 disease because we must break
the chain of Covid-19 that is plaguing the world. Covid-19 has caused the country's economy to
collapse and caused many small businesses to close their shops due to lack of customers.
Customers become afraid to eat and drink outside for fear of being hit by Covid-19 which will
inconvenience themselves and other family members. Once the Covid-19 chain is broken by the
cooperation of the community and the government, then our country will return to peace and
small businesses will start redeveloping food for a family. We must work with each other to
break the Covid-19 chain for the prosperity of the country by maintaining a social distance of 1
meter, wearing a mask, wearing hand sanitizer and not gathering at a crowded event.

Beside that, to the prosperity of the country, we can also protect ourselves and our
families from infecting people with Covid-19 symptoms. The government also provided
information on Covid-19 that took place in Malaysia so that the public would be more vigilant.
The government also provides assistance to the community to cover some of their difficult lives
due to this Covid-19. Among the assistance is in financial terms, giving deferment in the
payment of car loans, housing and education for 6 months. Therefore, let us together break the
chain of Covid-19 disease from continuing to spread in Malaysia.

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References (APA format)

​Amos Tong, Rachel Gong. (2020, October 20). The impact of COVID-19 on SME

digitalisation in Malaysia. https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/. Retrieved 01 06, 2020, from

https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/seac/2020/10/20/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-sme-digitalisati

on-in-malaysia/

W​isdom IT Services India Pvt. Ltd. (2020). CASE STUDY METHOD IN

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY - RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.

wisdomjobs.com.

https://www.wisdomjobs.com/e-university/research-methodology-tutorial-3

55/case-study-method-11496.html

University of Twente. (2020, 05 14). DATA COLLECTION METHODS. BMS

FACULTY. https://www.utwente.nl/en/bms/datalab/datacollection/methods/

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Appendices
● Role, responsibilities and task distribution among group members

Name Role Responsibility

Abdirizak Hassan Ahmed (L) Presenter, organizer To present the pre-recording

video presentation and
organize the group to
complete the tasks as well as
part of writing the report.

Nur Aneira Safiah Binti Interviewer To interview one of the two

Azam businesses we had
interviewed and also part of
the writing the report.

Nurul Nabilah Binti Noor Assistant interviewer To assist the interviewer and
Soleh noted down some information
from the small business to get
more information. Also part
of the writing of the report.

Mohammed Hassan Hussein Cameraman, presenter To record the two videos in

the project and present some
of the video presentation as
well as part of the writing
report.

Alieu Perry Interviewer Interviewing one of the two

small businesses.

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● Written consent from business owner

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● Interview questions and answers

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