Formation of an Anti-Crisis Management System in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: A Theoretical Aspect

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to provide a theoretical substantiation of the conceptual foundations for the formation of an anti-crisis management system in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) under conditions of increased economic turbulence. The research methodology is based on a systemic approach combined with elements of institutional and resource-based analysis. The methods of scientific abstraction, critical analysis, systematization, and modeling were applied. The theoretical framework draws upon contemporary concepts of organizational resilience, resource orchestration, and dynamic capabilities. The study clarifies the essence of anti-crisis management with due regard to the specific characteristics of small and medium-sized enterprises. It identifies the key differences between anti-crisis management in SMEs and that in large enterprises, particularly in terms of resource constraints, informal management practices, and high adaptability. A classification of threats to the financial security of SMEs is proposed, distinguishing between external (macro-level) and internal (micro-level) factors. The main result of the research is the developed conceptual model of the anti-crisis management system for SMEs. The model consists of three interrelated blocks – preventive, reactive, and recovery – and is built on the principles of organizational resilience (resilience by design). It ensures a cyclical transition from crisis prevention through operational response to business recovery and subsequent business model transformation. The hierarchy of the system's objectives is substantiated, ranging from the basic level of preserving liquidity and solvency to the strategic level of enhancing adaptive capacity and business model transformation. The findings indicate that the effectiveness of anti-crisis management in small and medium-sized enterprises depends primarily on the quality of limited resource orchestration and the integration of resilience principles into the enterprise's management architecture. The proposed model fills a theoretical gap in modern management science related to the insufficient consideration of SME-specific features and provides a methodological foundation for further applied research.