The effect of COVID 19 on risk-taking of small and medium-sized, family and non-family firms

Purpose This study aims to assess the effect of the COVID 19 on small and medium-sized family firms' risk-taking in Iraq. Design/methodology/approach Data was collected by distributing the questioners. The statistical population consists of 600 employers and small and medium-sized family and non-family firm managers. Hypothesis analysis was carried out after evaluating the questionnaire's validity and reliability using the structural equation method. Findings The results indicate that COVID 19 influences small and medium-size family and non-family firms' risk-taking. Originality/value Since no study carried out so far on the effect of COVID 19 on risk-taking of family and non-family Iraqi small- and medium-enterprise firms and since the political-economic condition of Iraq has been affected recently due to the presence of ISIS, its effects, as well as the civil war that taken place before COVID 19, assessing such a topic can contribute to the development of science and knowledge in this field.