Navigating Adversity: Revisiting Entrepreneurial Theories in the Context of the Occupied Palestinian Territories

Abstract

This paper examines how political conflict shapes entrepreneurial activities, with a particular focus on Occupied Palestinian Territories. It focuses on the resilience and adaptability of entrepreneurs in conflict zones and the dual role of entrepreneurship in potentially exacerbating or alleviating conflicts. This paper adopts an integrative literature review with a structured approach. It combines elements of both systematic and integrative reviews to survey and synthesize the management and entrepreneurship literature to assess the impact of political conflict on entrepreneurial activity and vice versa, necessity versus opportunity entrepreneurship, and the role of entrepreneurship in peacebuilding. The findings reveal that while entrepreneurship can be a powerful engine for growth and innovation, its role in conflict settings is complex and requires careful consideration of the sociopolitical context. The paper concludes with policy recommendations for supporting entrepreneurship in conflict-affected regions and suggests directions for future research to inform practices and contribute to sustainable peace and economic development.