International Journal of Applied Research in Management and Economics

Impact of COVID-19 on SMEs: A Case Study of the Pay TV Installation Sector in Johannesburg

Anathi Lwabi — 2025-02-18

This paper intends to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises, generally referred to as SMEs. The case study is on the Pay TV installation sector in Johannesburg, a city in South Africa. The article further ascertains if Pay TV installers were able to cope with the pandemic due to limited operational and financial resources as a result of the pandemic. The use of qualitative research is deemed suitable for this study to determine the opinions, thoughts, and feelings of SMEs in the Pay TV installation sector in Johannesburg whose operations were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The population of Pay TV installers is estimated to be 117. Since this number is quite large and would serve impractical to base the research on the entire population, an approach of sampling Pay TV installation SMEs in the Johannesburg area was adopted. The authors sampled 11 Pay TV installers as participants, which they considered enough to achieve data saturation and article objectives. Amongst others, the article findings indicate that the constrained movement of people limited word-of-mouth advertising. Some participants got infected with COVID-19 and other participants had employees that were infected. Furthermore, poor administration of government financial assistance applications caused additional strain on Pay TV installation businesses. The overall impact of this was limited business continuity.

ESG and Corporate Valuation of Non-financial Listed Firms: Evidence from China

Yiru Chen — 2025-02-18

ESG has become increasingly important for modern businesses seeking to drive growth while achieving sustainable development. Studies have found a significant positive relationship between a company's ESG performance and its market valuation, as measured by Tobin's Q. This paper evaluates the effect of ESG on the corporate valuation of Chinese non-financial listed firms during 2019 and 2024 by using multiple regression analysis and robust tests. The results indicate that corporate valuation is positively correlated with social factors, governance factors, and overall ESG score, while it is negatively correlated with environmental factors. This suggests firms should focus on enhancing their internal governance systems, including strengthening the board, ensuring transparency, and managing stakeholder relationships. Digitization can also improve ESG scores by reducing costs and improving communications. While environmental factors may initially reduce valuation, green marketing and promoting eco-friendly products can help offset this by attracting environmentally conscious consumers and investors.

Enhancing Sustainable Blue Economy Strategies: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Baltic Sea Region's Policy, Practices, and Innovations

Anna Zaccaro — 2025-02-18

The sustainable blue economy in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) has become a focal point for balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship. Originating from the broader concept of sustainable development, the blue economy emphasizes the sustainable use of marine resources to drive economic and social progress. This research investigates the key challenges and opportunities faced by the blue economy in the BSR and assesses the effectiveness of the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) in addressing these issues. Challenges in the BSR's blue economy include environmental degradation, technological integration, and the need for coordinated governance across national borders. The region also faces sector-specific challenges such as the decarbonization of maritime transport, sustainable coastal tourism, and the expansion of aquaculture within environmental limits. However, there are significant opportunities as well, particularly in leveraging technological advancements, fostering innovation, and exporting successful blue economy practices globally. To provide a concrete example, the research includes a case study of Denmark's approach to the blue economy. Denmark has made significant strides in offshore wind energy, sustainable fisheries, and maritime innovation, showcasing how targeted national strategies can align with broader regional goals. The Danish case highlights both the successes and ongoing challenges in achieving sustainable blue growth, offering valuable lessons for other BSR countries. The EUSBSR, launched in 2009, has played a pivotal role in fostering regional cooperation and promoting sustainable blue growth. Through initiatives such as Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) and targeted funding programs, the strategy has addressed some of the critical challenges, particularly in improving governance and encouraging sustainable practices. However, the effectiveness of the EUSBSR in fully realizing the potential of the blue economy remains contingent on further integration of policies, enhanced stakeholder engagement, and continued innovation. The conclusion will discuss the pathways for optimizing the blue economy in the BSR, focusing on strategic recommendations for overcoming existing challenges and capitalizing on emerging opportunities, with insights drawn from the Danish experience.