The role of scarcity due to crisis and access to information in the entrepreneurial resilience–success nexus

Purpose This study investigates how entrepreneurial resilience, access to information, and scarcity in quantity interact to influence entrepreneurial success in emerging economies. Despite increasing interest in resilience, little is known about its operation under simultaneous informational and material constraints, particularly in under-researched transitional economies. Thus, this research aims to understand how cognitive and contextual factors jointly influence entrepreneurial outcomes in volatile, resource-constrained environments. Design/methodology/approach The study employs a cross-sectional design using survey data collected from 651 entrepreneurs across three Western Balkan countries: Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia. Partial least square (PLS) - structural equation modeling (SEM) tests direct and moderating effects among the variables. Findings Entrepreneurial resilience enhances entrepreneurial success, while scarcity in quantity and difficulty accessing information negatively impact outcomes. Access to information also strengthens resilience. The moderating analysis reveals that scarcity does not significantly moderate the entrepreneurial resilience–success link but does intensify the adverse effect of poor information access on entrepreneurial success. This supports the scarcity–information dimension of compound constraint and suggests that overlapping material and informational limitations can produce disproportionately adverse performance outcomes in institutionally fragile settings. Research limitations/implications The cross-sectional design limits causal interpretation. Findings may not generalise beyond post-transition or institutionally fragile economies. Future research should explore longitudinal and comparative designs. Originality/value This study integrates cognitive and contextual factors in explaining entrepreneurial success under adversity. It introduces the concept of compound constraint, highlighting how simultaneous scarcity of material and informational resources can critically undermine success. The findings offer practical guidance for resilience training and developing information support systems in emerging markets.