This special issue in Small Business Economics investigates how entrepreneurs develop and leverage internal capabilities to succeed when external support systems are unavailable or depleted. Rather than viewing crises as isolated incidents, the issue recognizes that contemporary entrepreneurs increasingly operate under persistent adversity and must rely on their own resources, psychological strengths, and adaptive mechanisms to thrive.
The call seeks innovative research that moves beyond existing literature by examining the endogenous foundations of entrepreneurial success. Submissions should explore how entrepreneurs generate innovation, build resilience, and maintain adaptability when facing continuous challenges and reduced access to traditional ecosystem support.