Nurturing entrepreneurial well-being and resilience through adaptability and positive reciprocity among micro and small enterprises

Micro and small enterprises (MSEs) continue to struggle during crises and periods of instability. Key factors that support the continuity, survival, and well-being of entrepreneurs need to be examined. Therefore, this research aims to investigate the influence of adaptive capacity (AC) and positive reciprocity (PR) on entrepreneurial resilience (ER). It also seeks to understand the relationship between ER and entrepreneurs’ well-being (EW), and to determine whether ER can mediate the relationship between AC, PR, and EW. Using a quantitative methodology and a cross-sectional design, data were collected from 255 micro and small entrepreneurs operating various types of businesses through an online questionnaire and on-site visits. The data were analysed using SPSS and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings confirmed that AC and PR positively and significantly affect both ER and EW. Additionally, it was found that ER can partially and positively mediate the relationship between AC, PR, and EW. This research contributes to the field by clarifying the connection between adaptability, resilience, and the performance of MSEs—an area previously lacking in the literature—highlighting its importance in entrepreneurship and small business management, particularly within the context of crisis-driven economies.