Studying the Effects of Trade Conflicts on Small Business owned by Gen X

The influence of trade wars on company activities and the risk-reducing strategies that companies
are using are subject matters of this study. By applying a combination of factor analysis and non-
parametric tests, the research investigates important aspects such as the cost of raw materials, the
adjustment of prices, supply chain reliance, digital transformation, and financial instability. The
results show that trade conflicts have the most consistent impacts in the areas of increased raw
material costs, price adjustments, and dependence on critical inputs, while other factors like reduced
profits, digital transformation, and market diversification show varied effects. The type of business
and the dependence on inputs are important factors in determining which companies are most
affected, and there are gender differences in certain adaptive behaviours, such as local sourcing and
price adjustments. The study suggests that proactive planning, resource flexibility, and sector-
specific strategies are crucial for any company to achieve stability in operations when trade
disruptions occur. The findings will be useful for policymakers, industry players, and researchers
who want to build resilience in businesses during global trade war scenarios which are getting more
volatile by the day.