Capturing the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak on the financial performance disparities in the energy sector : a hybrid MCDM-based evaluation approach

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the financial performance of companies in different sectors. One of the most important sectors affected is the energy sector. Therefore, this research study aims to conduct a financial performance evaluation of companies in the Saudi energy sector in 2019, 2020, and 2021. This is to capture and analyze the effect on companies before, during, and post the COVID-19 pandemic, respectively. A hybrid multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) approach is followed to achieve the objective. The financial performance evaluation of energy companies is based on four financial dimensions and 11 performance indicators. Results revealed that energy companies' efficiency and profitability were relatively the most important dimensions, followed by leverage and liquidity. Furthermore, results revealed the relative importance of the indicators from the most to the least important. Results also revealed the effect of COVID-19 on energy companies' financial performance, demonstrating the change over the three years. Implications include providing insights for energy companies on the financial dimensions and indicators to be maintained and monitored in the case of pandemics. Furthermore, to assist decision-makers in the energy sector in developing strategies to mitigate financial performance disparities during and post-pandemics.