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Success factors of organizational resilience: a qualitative investigation of four types of sustainable digital entrepreneurs

Carmen Isensee (School of Business Management and Social Sciences, Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, Osnabrück, Germany) (Department of Accounting and Information Systems, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany)
Frank Teuteberg (Department of Accounting and Information Systems, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany)
Kai Michael Griese (School of Business Management and Social Sciences, Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, Osnabrück, Germany)

Management Decision

ISSN: 0025-1747

Article publication date: 24 March 2023

Issue publication date: 25 April 2023

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to distinguish different types of sustainable digital entrepreneurs (SDEs) and explore their approaches toward enhancing organizational resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

Investigation of entrepreneur characteristics using Grounded Theory methodology; 12 semi-structured telephone interviews with (owner-)managers of digital-resilient small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups in Germany; adaptation of a sustainability-digitalization-matrix for initial clustering; investigation of reoccurring patterns (within and between clusters) through variable-oriented content analysis; application of the capability-based conceptualization of organizational resilience for synthesis and extension.

Findings

First, the authors present a new typology of SDEs, including descriptions of the four main types (Process-Oriented System Thinker, Unconventional Strategist, Dynamic Visionary and Success-Oriented Opportunist). Second, the authors propose a conceptual framework with six success factors of organizational resilience. The framework accentuates the influence of SDEs on organizational culture and the macro-environment.

Practical implications

Digital sustainability and resilience are emerging management principles. The insights gained will allow (future) entrepreneurs to perform a self-assessment and replicate approaches toward enhancing SME resilience; for example, governing the co-creation of an organizational culture with a strong integrative view on sustainability and digitalization.

Originality/value

SMEs are characterized by high vulnerability and a reactive response to the disruptions caused by sustainability crises and digitalization. Blending sustainable and digital entrepreneurship at a micro-level, the authors identified the success factors underpinning organizational resilience that are associated with the characteristics of four types of SDEs.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Funding: This work was supported by the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) [grant number 34937/01].

Citation

Isensee, C., Teuteberg, F. and Griese, K.M. (2023), "Success factors of organizational resilience: a qualitative investigation of four types of sustainable digital entrepreneurs", Management Decision, Vol. 61 No. 5, pp. 1244-1273. https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-03-2022-0326

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited

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