Abstract
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are especially affected by the global crises. Consequently, scholars are actively investigating the implications of the global crises for SMEs. Yet, the growing body of literature on the topic has created considerable fragmentation and theoretical confusion. We aim to offer an integrative understanding of the SME literature in the context of global crises. We conducted a systematic literature review of 187 relevant studies published in leading forums (AJG 3 or above in SME, entrepreneurship, and FT50 journals). Our results show five streams of research on SMEs in the context of global crises: entrepreneurial resilience; financial impact of crises; market and environmental challenges; strategic management and leadership challenges; and social and community factors. Our review offers an integrated understanding of the literature on SMEs in the global crises and suggests implications for future research and practice.