Path- and place-dependence of entrepreneurial ventures at times of war and conflict

Abstract

Studies have previously examined the path-development of entrepreneurs within a penurious environment, but what if their path encounters a conflict situation? Does conflict engender greater resource poverty and subsequently msqueeze out any remaining life from entrepreneurism? Utilising Isaksen’s characterisation of path-dependence, we examine how entrepreneurs negotiate their path through the ‘double whammy’ of penurious environment and conflict. Through an event-based approach examining the entrepreneurial paths of three wartime entrepreneurs, our study indicates that while the immediate aftermath is chaos leading to limited path-extension and even path-exhaustion, once initial challenges are addressed, entrepreneurial individuals find different ways to adapt, not only through path-extension but also through path-renewal and path-creation. These opportunities are place-dependent, the recognition of which requires considerable local knowledge and resources acquired through experience and prior local investment as well as interdependent networks.