This special issue in the Journal of Strategy and Management examines how organizations respond strategically when major disruptions fundamentally alter the institutional environment and challenge established decision-making frameworks. The focus is on situations where core assumptions, sources of authority, and environmental interpretation become uncertain or contested, requiring organizations to develop new approaches to strategic adaptation and resilience.
The special issue addresses contemporary challenges highlighted by recent global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical instability, climate disasters, cyber threats, and artificial intelligence advances. By studying how organizations interpret uncertainty, maintain legitimacy, and navigate institutional disruption, the work contributes insights valuable to business leaders, policymakers, and public sector organizations seeking to strengthen resilience amid increasing volatility.