The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on managerial functions: Theory verified by Delphi method

Abstract

The aim of the article is to analyse the performance of managerial functions in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The first part of the article focuses on a systematic literature review (SLR) aimed at identifying the most frequently researched managerial functions in the context of changes due to the pandemic and the difficulties in performing these functions. A total of 211 articles from the Web of Science database were analysed, 18 of which were relevant to the present research. Based on the SLR conducted, two research questions were identified and answered by conducting a three-round Delphi survey among the experts interviewed (a total of 23 company managers). The results show that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the managerial function of planning has the highest importance and was performed the most often, followed by the function of leading. The managers gave minor importance to the organising function, which was statistically confirmed by Friedmann ANOVA followed by post hoc analysis – the Bonferroni-Dunn test. The results also confirmed a satisfactory level of expert agreement on the data obtained (Kendall W ~ 0.7–0.84), confirming the relevance of the findings. Also, several internal barriers that affected the work of managers were identified. The results are somewhat unusual, as most of the constraints faced by managers were imposed by the external environment, such as government regulations or sanitary measures. This discrepancy suggests that companies should emphasise improving their crisis management in the future. The results obtained thus provide the basis for further research in the area analysed. At the same time, it is possible to move away from the COVID-19 situation and transform the issue into managerial management in crises.