Determinants of resilience-based managerial strategies in war-induced crises

Purpose This study examines how business owners from Ukraine and the EU perceive and approach resilience strategies in response to complex crises. Based on a comparative analysis, the research explores how firms develop anticipation capabilities, coping strategies, adaptation mechanisms, relational resilience and leadership competence in these different economic environments. The study aims to highlight key differences and commonalities in resilience-building approaches between firms operating in war-affected economies, such as Ukraine and those in more stable settings. Design/methodology/approach The study employs partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze data collected from 114 business owners and managers from Ukraine and EU countries. A structured online survey was used to measure perceptions of resilience across five latent variables: anticipation capabilities, coping strategies, adaptation mechanisms, relational resilience and leadership competence. The research follows a quantitative comparative approach, assessing direct and mediating effects to identify the determinants of resilience-based strategies in war-induced crisis. Findings The results reveal differences in how Ukrainian and EU firms approach resilience. Ukrainian firms rely more on improvisation, informal networks and rapid operational adjustments, prioritizing short-term coping mechanisms in response to war-induced crises. In contrast, EU firms adopt a more structured, anticipatory approach, leveraging institutional frameworks, regulatory safeguards and long-term crisis management strategies. Leadership competence significantly influences resilience-building in both contexts, but its role in shaping anticipation and adaptation varies based on firms’ environmental stability. Additionally, while anticipation capabilities are critical for coping strategies in EU firms, they do not directly translate into adaptation mechanisms for Ukrainian firms, highlighting differences in strategic implementation. Originality/value This study is one of the first to empirically compare resilience perceptions between business owners in Ukraine and EU countries war-induced crisis. It extends resilience research by integrating insights from firms in war-affected economies, highlighting context-specific resilience mechanisms that differ from those in traditional economic crises. The findings offer valuable contributions to both academic discussions and practical resilience-building efforts in high-risk business environments.