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 contextof 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 changesdue to the pandemic and the difficulties in performing these functions. A total of 211 articles fromthe 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 conductinga 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 hasthe 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 confirmedby Friedmann ANOVA followed by post hoc analysis – the Bonferroni-Dunn test. The results alsoconfirmed 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 workof managers were identified. The results are somewhat unusual, as most of the constraints facedby managers were imposed by the external environment, such as government regulations orsanitary measures. This discrepancy suggests that companies should emphasise improving theircrisis management in the future. The results obtained thus provide the basis for further researchin the area analysed. At the same time, it is possible to move away from the COVID-19 situation andtransform the issue into managerial management in crises.