Networking as a socio-psychological resource of resilience and overcoming uncertainty in entrepreneurs

16

Abstract

Context and relevance. Entrepreneurship is a professional activity associated with high risk, uncertainty, responsibility and competition. The challenges of entrepreneurship are exacerbated by the peculiarities of today's unstable world, which makes it really important to find resources to deal with the difficulties that come up in professional life. Networking has been shown to be an important part of the business system, but its potential as a social and psychological resource has not yet been fully explored. The aim of this study is to review research on networking and entrepreneurial resilience. The results obtained in the study suggest that networking can be a resource for overcoming uncertainty and increasing resilience among entrepreneurs. The main types of difficulties faced by entrepreneurs are presented. The identified links between networking and resilience and overcoming uncertainty among male and female entrepreneurs are described. Methods and materials. Systematic search, content and bibliometric analysis in international scientometric databases on the research topic. Conclusions. As a result of a theoretical review and analysis of data presented in contemporary foreign studies, it has been established that networking helps entrepreneurs cope with stress and uncertainty through mentoring, cooperation, market information, emotional support, and increased self-confidence

 

General Information

Keywords: networking, entrepreneurial networks, resilience, uncertainty, resource, female entrepreneurs

Journal rubric: Labour Psychology and Engineering Psychology

Article type: review article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/jmfp.2025140206

Received 27.03.2025

Accepted

Published

For citation: Kulikova, A.I., Sachkova, M.Y. (2025). Networking as a socio-psychological resource of resilience and overcoming uncertainty in entrepreneurs. Journal of Modern Foreign Psychology, 14(2), 57–63. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/jmfp.2025140206

© Kulikova A.I., Sachkova M.Y., 2025

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

References

  1. Abdelnaeim, D., Ajonbadi, H.A. (2024). Social capital and women entrepreneur success in Egypt: Exploring network, trust, and empowerment. In: H.A. Ajonbadi, S. Sisay, S. Oladele (Eds.), Exploring Entrepreneurship: Unpacking the Mosaic of Entrepreneurship across Africa (pp. 101—128). Cham: Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-56343-0_5
  2. Abdulla, F.S., Ahmad, A. (2023). Challenges faced by women entrepreneurs of 21st century: Literature review. Journal of Management and Science, 21(1), 71—86. https://doi.org/10.57002/jms.v21i1.368
  3. Bagheri, A., Javadian, G., Zakeri, P., Arasti, Z. (2024). Bearing the unbearable: Exploring women entrepreneurs resilience building in times of crises. Journal of Business Ethics, 193, 715—738 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-023-05577-9
  4. Bagherian, S.S., Soleimanof, S., Feyzbakhsh, A. (2025). Transmission of entrepreneurial identity across generations in business families: Understanding the effect of family communications. Journal of Small Business Management, 63(1), 221—248. https://doi.org/10.1080/00472778.2024.2312388
  5. Belitski, M., Guenther, C., Kritikos, A.S., Thurik, R. (2022). Economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on entrepreneurship and small businesses. Small Business Economics, 58, 593—609. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-021-00544-y
  6. Bridges, D., Wulff, E., Bamberry, L. (2023). Resilience for gender inclusion: Developing a model for women in male‐dominated occupations. Gender, Work and Organization, 30(1), 263—279. https://doi.org/10.1111/gwao.12672
  7. Cahill, S., Chandola, T., Hager R. (2022). Genetic variants associated with resilience in human and animal studies. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13, Article 840120. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.840120
  8. Conduah, A.K., Essiaw, M.N. (2022). Resilience and entrepreneurship: A systematic review. F1000Research. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.75473.1
  9. Fey, S., Kock, A. (2022). Meeting challenges with resilience — How innovation projects deal with adversity. International Journal of Project Management, 40(8), 941—950. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2022.10.006
  10. Foss, L., Henry, C. (2021). Women’s entrepreneurship in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis. International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship, 13(2), 97—105. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJGE-06-2021-202
  11. Gamper, M. (2022). Social network theories: An overview. In: A. Klärner, M. Gamper, S. Keim-Klärner, I. Moor, H. von der Lippe, N. Vonneilich (Eds.), Social Networks and Health Inequalities (pp. 35—48). Cham: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-97722-1_3
  12. Hill, S., Ionescu-Somers, А., Coduras, А., Friedl, С., Guerrero, М.,Menipaz, I., Boutaleb, F., Zbierowski, P., Samsami, M., Sahasranamam, S., Shay, J. (2025). «Global Entrepreneurship Monitor.). GEM 2024/2025»: Dataset. Global Report: Entrepreneurship Reality Check. London: GEM. URL: https://www.gemconsortium.org/file/open?fileId=51621 (viewed: 26.05.2025).
  13. Ignat, R., Constantin, M. (2020). Multidimensional facets of entrepreneurial resilience during the COVID-19 crisis through the lens of the wealthiest Romanian counties. Sustainability, 12(23), Article 10220. https://doi.org/10.3390/su122310220
  14. Jin, L., Xu, F. (2024). Thwarted by fear of failure, reignited by psychological resilience: Entrepreneurs’ responses to a health crisis (COVID-19) and passion for developing. European Management Journal. Preprint. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2024.09.003
  15. Li, X., Zhang, M., Liu, W., Wang, Z. (2024). The impact of entrepreneurial co-founders' support on founders' entrepreneurial resilience in the high-tech industry: The roles of perceived digital technology and perceived failure-tolerant climate. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 202, Article 123320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2024.123320
  16. Mafimisebi, O.P., Olagboye, D., Obembe, D. (2024). Entrepreneurial Resilience. In: Reference Module in Social Sciences. Amsterdam: Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-13701-3.00160-2
  17. Manello, A., Cisi, M., Devicienti, F., Vannoni, D. (2020). Networking: A business for women. Small Business Economics, 55, 329—348. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-019-00300-3
  18. Meurer, M.M., Waldkirch, M., Schou, P.K., Bucher, E.L., Burmeister-Lamp, K. (2022). Digital affordances: How entrepreneurs access support in online communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Small Business economics, 58, 637—663. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-021-00540-2
  19. Rudhumbu, N., du Plessis, E.C., Maphosa, C. (2020). Challenges and opportunities for women entrepreneurs in Botswana: Revisiting the role of entrepreneurship education. Journal of International Education in Business, 13(2), 183—201. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIEB-12-2019-0058
  20. Santoro, G., Bertoldi, B., Giachino, C., Candelo, E. (2020). Exploring the relationship between entrepreneurial resilience and success: The moderating role of stakeholders' engagement. Journal of Business Research, 119, 142—150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2018.11.052
  21. Schumpeter, J. (1934). The Theory of Economic Development: An Inquiry into Profits, Capital, Credit, Interest, and the Business Cycle. Oxford: Magdalen College.
  22. Seraj, A.H.A., Fazal, S.A., Alshebami, A.S. (2022). Entrepreneurial Competency, financial literacy, and sustainable performance — examining the mediating role of entrepreneurial resilience among Saudi entrepreneurs. Sustainability, 14(17), Article 10689. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141710689
  23. Seyfi, S., Kimbu, A.N., Tavangar, M., Vo-Thanh, T., Zaman, M. (2025). Surviving crisis: Building tourism entrepreneurial resilience as a woman in a sanctions-ravaged destination. Tourism Management, 106, Article 105025, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2024.105025
  24. Sheng, Y., Ye, C., Sun, Y., Bakker, D. (2024). The impact of human capital and social capital on entrepreneurship entry: the threshold of human capital-social capital coupling. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11, Article 1626. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-04151-6
  25. Simarasl, N., Tabesh, P., Jessri, M. (2024). Navigating hardships: Resilience-building coping strategies and actionable techniques for entrepreneurs. Business Horizons. Preprint. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2024.07.001
  26. Simba, A., Rambe, P., Navarrete, S.R., Vadillo, M.T.P. (2024). A technostress—entrepreneurship nexus in the developing world. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 20, 2019—2046. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-024-00968-4
  27. Sonenshein, S., Nault, K. (2023). When the symphony does jazz: How resourcefulness fosters organizational resilience during adversity. Academy of Management Journal, 67(3). https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2022.0988
  28. Stephan, U., Rauch, A., Hatak, I. (2023). Happy entrepreneurs? Everywhere? A meta-analysis of entrepreneurship and wellbeing. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 47(2), 553—593. https://doi.org/10.1177/10422587211072799
  29. Surangi, H.A.K.N.S. (2022). A critical analysis of the networking experiences of female entrepreneurs: a study based on the small business tourism sector in Sri Lanka. Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 11, Article 61. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13731-022-00255-y
  30. Williamson, A.J., Gish, J.J., Stephan, U. (2021). Let’s focus on solutions to entrepreneurial ill-being! Recovery interventions to enhance entrepreneurial well-being. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 45(6), 1307—1338. https://doi.org/10.1177/10422587211006431
  31. Yang, J., Zhu, M., Zhang, M., Yao, K. (2024). Understanding the relationship between networks, startup risk-taking behaviour, and digitalization: The role of ecosystem coopetition. Journal of Management & Organization, 30(6), 2275—2299. https://doi.org/10.1017/jmo.2021.62
  32. Zhao, H., Wibowo, A. (2021). Entrepreneurship resilience: Can psychological traits of entrepreneurial intention support overcoming entrepreneurial failure? Frontiers in Psychology, 12, Article 707803. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.707803

Information About the Authors

Angelina I. Kulikova, PhD student, Institute of Social Sciences, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-8533-4555, e-mail: a9654109624@gmail.com

Marianna Y. Sachkova, Doctor of Psychology, Professor, Professor, Department of General Psychology, Institute of Social Sciences, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Professor, Department of Theoretical Foundations of Social Psychology, Moscow State University of Psychology and Education, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2982-8410, e-mail: msachkova@mail.ru

Metrics

 Web Views

Whole time: 25
Previous month: 6
Current month: 19

 PDF Downloads

Whole time: 16
Previous month: 1
Current month: 15

 Total

Whole time: 41
Previous month: 7
Current month: 34