Beyond tough times: how resilience shapes the survival journey of SMEs

Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in global economic development, making their survival crucial. Resilient SMEs are better positioned to adapt, evolve, and sustain their operations in dynamic operating environments. Although SME survival has been widely studied, there is limited research on how different forms of resilience enhance survival and the key factors that mediate this relationship. This study examines how resilience supports SME survival, emphasising the mediating factors that strengthen the link. The study investigated Ugandan SMEs from various sectors and regions. Findings reveal these mediators enable SMEs to positively impact resilience in their strategies to enhance adaptability, agility, and continuity in different contexts. Overall, the study underscores how these mediators reinforce SME resilience and survival during crises, contributing to scholarly knowledge and offering practical guidance for future research.