Entrepreneurial Resilience as a Driver of Family-Owned Business Performance
Abstract
The negative consequences of insecurity in Taraba State include the high cost of doing business and declining firm performance. Since the majority of businesses in the state are family-owned, this study examines the extent to which entrepreneurial resilience contributes to the performance of such businesses. With a specific focus on entrepreneurial resourcefulness, entrepreneurial optimism and entrepreneurial hardiness as dimensions of entrepreneurial resilience, the study adopts a survey research design to collect data from a sample of 363 owner-managers of registered family business using a structured questionnaire. The results of the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS- SEM) analysis indicate that all three dimensions have significant positive effects on the performance of family-owned businesses, with entrepreneurial optimism demonstrating the strongest effect. In conclusion, entrepreneurial resilience should be considered a key factor in enhancing performance in business environments characterized by resource constraints and uncertainty. Therefore, capacity-building and mentorship programs aimed at helping business operators develop entrepreneurial resourcefulness, cultivate an optimistic mindset, and strengthen hardiness are recommended. This is important, as the overall impact could lead to improved and sustainable performance of family-owned businesses in Taraba State.
Keywords
Entrepreneurial resilienceFamily-owned businessPerformance JEL Classification: L 26P 47
References
Abiodun, T. F., Omolayo, O. O., Tomisin, A. D., & Chinedu, O. C. (2020). Assessment of Boko Haram insurgents’ threats to educational development in the Northeast Nigeria: The way forward. African Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Research, 3(1), 31-43. Achumba, I. C., Ighomereho, O. S., & Akpor-Robaro, M. O. M. (2016). Security challenges in Nigeria and implications for business activities and sustainable development. Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, 4(2) 67-89. Adeodu, A. S., Ademola, E. I., & Babafemi, B. C. (2024). Insecurity in Nigeria, causes, consequence and solutions. Wukari International Studies Journal, 8(2), 1-10. Afolabi, S. (2024). Perceived effect of insecurity on the performance of women entrepreneurs in Nigeria. FUW - International Journal of Management and Social Sciences, 9(1), 97-117. Agbim, K. C. (2019a). Social networking and the family business performance: A conceptual consideration. Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Innovation, 15(1), 83- 122. https://doi.org/10.7341/20191514 Agbim, K. C. (2019b). Determining the contributory factors to successful succession and post-succession performance of family-owned SMEs in South Eastern Nigeria. International Entrepreneurship Review, 5(2), 53-73. https://doi.org/10.15678/IER.2019.0502.04 Agbim, K. C., Adeyemo, T. I., Olaniyi, B. K., & Oyekan, M. (2022). Family involvement and performance of family-owned restaurants in Abuja. Baze University Journal of Entrepreneurship and Interdisciplinary Studies,1(1), 1-12. Agbim, K. C., Tanko, I., & Paul, V. (2023). Characteristics and performance of family businesses in Wuse market, Abuja, FCT Nigeria. FUDMA Journal of Accounting and Finance Research, 1(1), 114-128. Akanbi, D. (2023). Boko Haram: Reviewing the past, viewing the present and previewing the future (M.Sc. Project). https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.28525.97765 Akeke, M. N. G., Eno, E. E., & Eyo, E. E. (2018). Resourcefulness as an effective tool for small scale business operation for national development. Nigerian Journal of Business Education, 5(2), 123-131. Akinbinu, B. M., & Chiloane-Phetla, G. E. (2021). Heuristics and optimism – Towards entrepreneurial behaviour and success. Journal of Contemporary Management, 18(2), 184-211. https://doi.org/10.35683/jcm21025.126 Ancho, J. E. (2014). Entrepreneurship education: A panacea for unemployment, poverty reduction and national insecurity in developing and underdeveloped countries. American International Journal of Contemporary Research, 4(3), 124-136. Andria, A., Gabarret, I., & Vedel, B. (2018). Resilience and effectuation for a successful business takeover. International Journal of Entrepreneurship Behaviour & Research, 24(2018), 1200-1221. Anglin, A. H., McKenny, A. F., & Short, J. C. (2018). The impact of collective optimism on new venture creation and growth: A social contagion perspective. Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, 42(3), 390–425. https://doi.org/ 10.1111/etap.12256 Audu, M. S., & Osuala, U. S. (2014). Conceptualising functionalism and its application to the study of African history. Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 3(6), 225- 228. https://doi.org/10.5901/ajis.2014.v3n6p225 Ayala, J.-C., & Manzano, G. (2014). The resilience of the entrepreneur. Influence on the success of the business. A longitudinal analysis. Journal of Economic Psychology, 42, 126–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2014.02. 004 Ayobami, K. A., Omogbonjubolanle, A. A. F., Taiwo, A. S., & Oyedokun, G. E. (2024). Insecurity, inflation and sustainability of small and medium enterprise in Nigeria. International Journal of Social Sciences and Management Review, 07(06), 477-491. Baba, D. J. (2023). Exploring the Genesis and effects of insecurity in Northeast of Nigeria: A view from Taraba and Adamawa States. Global Scientific Journal, 11(12), 1297-1313. Balogun, O. S., Ganiyu, l., Oni, B. O., Ademola, T. O., & Abdulkareem, S. B. (2025). Impact of business environment and insecurity on small scale enterprises’ performance among women in Kaduna State Nigeria. Ethiopian Journal of Environmental Studies & Management, 18(1), 1-14. https://ejesm.org/doi/v18i1.1 Beland, D. (2005). The political construction of collective insecurity: From moral panic to blame avoidance and organized irresponsibility. Center for European Studies, Working Paper Series 126. Bello, H. S. (2022). An assessment of the socio-economic impact of Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast of Nigeria. Siyasal Journal of Political Sciences, 31(1),157-172. http://dx.doi.org/10.26650/siyasal.2022.31. 1054025 Bernard, M., & Barbosa, S. (2016). Resilience and entrepreneurship: A dynamic and biographical approach to the entrepreneurial act. Management, 19(2), 89-123. https://doi.org/10.3917/mana.192.0089 Bowley, A. L. (1937). Elements of statistics. P.S. Kings and Staples. Bradley, S. W. (2015). Entrepreneurial resourcefulness, in C. L. Cooper (Ed.), Wiley Encyclopedia of Management (pp. 1-3). John Wiley & Sons. Bull, D. A. (2025). The role of academic hardiness in predicting student persistence and performance in higher education: A quantitative study. Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovations, 13(3), 47-64. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15978436 Campopiano, G., De Massis, A., & Kotlar, J., (2019). Palgrave Handbook of Heterogeneity among Family Firms. Palgrave Macmillan. Chandler, G. N., DeTienne, D. R., McKelvie, A., & Mumford, T. V. (2011). Causation and effectuation processes: A validation study. Journal of business venturing, 26(3), 375390. Chelsea, B. W., & McCollum, W. (2020). Exploring the impact of individual resilience on entrepreneurial success. Journal of Entrepreneurship and Organizination Management, 9 (2020), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.37421/jeom.2020.9.286 Chen, H., Hou, C., Zhang, L., & Li, S. (2020). Comparative study on the strands of research on the governance model of international occupational safety and health issues. Safety Science, 122, 104513–104519. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. ssci.2019.104513 Chrisman, J., Chua, J., & Steier, L. (2011). Resilience of family companies: An introduction. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 35(6), 1107–1119. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540- 6520.2011.00493.x Doran, J., McCarthy, N., & O’Connor, M. (2018). The role of entrepreneurship in stimulating economic growth in developed and developing countries. Cogent Economics & Finance, 6(1), 1442093, https://doi.org/ 10.1080/23322039.2018.1442093 Duffy, M. (2023). Heart-break/break-through: Entrepreneurs’ vulnerability and wellbeing (Unpublished Ph.D thesis). The University of Sheffield. Economides, N. (2018). The theory of social contract and legitimacy today. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 9(5), 19-28. https://doi.org/10.2478/mjss-2018-0135 Egbuna, A., Eyisi, A., Ololo, N., Okonkwo, E., & Uzuegbu, J. (2025). Impact of insecurity on the hospitality industry: A Study of selected hotels in Nnewi town of Anambra State, Nigeria. Nsukka Journal of the Humanities, 33(1), 115-134. https://doi.org/10. 62250/nsuk.2025.33.1.115-134 Ezeh, C., Nweke, O. E., & Emesiani, S. M. C. (2019). Social contract theory and the Nigerian State in the fourth republic. Studies in Politics and Society, 7, 1-20. Fatoki, O. (2018). The impact of entrepreneurial resilience on the success of small and medium enterprises in South Africa. Sustainability, 10(7), 2527. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10072527 Filser, M., Kraus, S., Roig-Tierno, N., Kailer, N., & Fischer, U. (2019). Entrepreneurship as catalyst for sustainable development- Opening the black box. Sustainability, 11(16), 4503. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11164503 Garba, B. G., Balogun, R. B., Kalejaiye-Matti, R. B., & Maku, B. S. (2024). The effects of Boko Haram induced rural-urban migration on food security in the Northeast, Nigeria: An appraisal. Journal of Environmental Issues and Agriculture in Developing Countries, 11(1-3), 34-52. Gupta, P., Chauhan, S., Paul, J., & Jaiswal, M. P. (2020). Social entrepreneurship research: A review and future research agenda. Journal of Business Research, 113, 209-229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.03.032 Hamedi, H., & Mehdiabadi, A. (2020). Entrepreneurship resilience and Iranian organizations: Application of the fuzzy DANP technique. Asia Pacific Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 14 (3), 231–247. Haralambos and Holborn (2013). Sociology: Themes and perspectives. Harper Collins. Hegre, H., Lindqvist-McGowan, A., Vesco, P., Jansen, R., & Rakhmankulova, M. (2022). Forecasting armed conflict in the Sahel: Forecasts for November 2021–October 2024. Ibrahim A. D. B. J. (2024). Boko Haram terrorism and development challenges in the Northeastern Nigeria. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, VII,1950-1962. https://doi.org/10. 47772/IJRISS.2023.7012150 Iringe-koko, T. M., & Onuoha, B. C. (2023). Entrepreneurial resilience and survival of small businesses in Rivers State. International Journal of Business & Entrepreneurship Research, 14(10), 90–103. https://doi.org/ 2726145237114108 Isichei, E. E., Olabosinde, S. T., & Shaibu, B. (2024). Entrepreneurial resilience and business survival: The mediating role of self-compassion. The Journal of Entrepreneurship, 33(1) 7–33. https://doi.org/10.1177/09713557241 233820 Johari, J. (2005). Contemporary political theory: New dimensions, basic concepts and trends. Sterling Publishers. Kobasa, S. C. (1979). Stressful life events, personality, and health: An inquiry into hardiness. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 37(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.37.1.1 Korbekandi, M. M., & Tabarsa, G. (2024). The effect of self-efficacy and optimism on job performance: The mediating role of work engagement. Public Administration Perspective, 15(1), 15-38. https://doi.org/ 10.48308/jpap.2023.103105 Korber, S., & McNaughton, R. B. (2018). Resilience and entrepreneurship: A systematic literature review. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 24(7), 1129-1154. https://doi.org/10.1108/ IJEBR-10-2016-0356 Krejcie, R.V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30, 607-610. Ldama, J., & Sali, M. (2024). Effect of insecurity on the performance of small and medium enterprises in North Eastern States of Nigeria. ADSU International Journal of Applied Economics, Finance & Management, 9(2), 470-489. Li, S., Wu, D., & Sun, Y. (2021) The impact of entrepreneurial optimism and labor law on business performance of new ventures. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 697002. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.697002 Li, X., Theisen, A., Seo, C., & Sibley, D. S. (2018). Resourcefulness: Current insights and future directions for family scholars and clinicians. The Family Journal, 26(4), 1-11. https://doi.org/106648071880652 Maddi, S. R. (2002). The story of hardiness: Twenty years of theorizing, research, and practice. Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, 54(3), 173–185. Magaji, S., Kari, A. G. U., Otakey, H. A., & Jafaru, Y. (2024). Analysis of the concept and theoretical perspectives of insecurity and sustainable development. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, VIII(IX), 3305-3315. https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2024.8090276 Mahn, D., Wang, C., Kentc, D., & Heatonc, C. (2024). The optimism effect on country productivity and innovation activities. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge 9 (2024), 100565. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2024.100565 Mberi, F. C. (2018). Influencing entrepreneurial resilience to create sustainable business ventures (Master’s thesis). Gordon Institute of Business Science, University of Pretoria. Medlin, B., & Green, K. W. (2009). Enhancing performance through goal setting, engagement, and optimism. Industrial Management & Data Systems,109(7), 943– 956. https://doi.org/10.1108/0263557 0910982292 Miralam, M. S., & Ali, N. (2020). Employees self-efficacy, optimism, hope, resilience and demographic variables as the determinants of job performance. International Journal on Emerging Technologies, 11(3), 336-343. Monday, J. U., Akinola, G. O., Ologbenla, P., & Aladeraji, O. K. (2014). Strategic management and firm performance: A study of selected manufacturing companies in Nigeria. European Journal of Business and Management,7(2), 161-171. Moss, T. W., Loor, A. D., & Parada, F. D. (2022). Partnerships as an enabler of resourcefulness in generating sustainable outcomes. Journal of Business Venturing, 37(1), 106089. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent. 2020.106089 Moussa, A. A., & Elgiziry, K. (2019). The impact of family involvement in business on capital structure decisions: A literature review. Investment Management and Financial Innovations, 16(1), 258266. http://dx.doi.org/10. 21511/imfi.16(1).2019.20 Musa, D. I., Kaigama, Y. M., & Mohammed, S. (2023). Effect of insecurity on small and medium enterprises and socio-economic development of Yobe State, Nigeria. Fane-Fane International Multidisciplinary Journal, 7(2), 503-810. Mzid, I., Khachlouf, N., & Soparnot, R., (2019). How does family capital influence the resilience of family firms? Journal of International Entrepreneurship, 17, 249-277. Ndubuisi-Okolo, P. U., & Onuzulike, N. F. (2022). Insecurity and performance of business activities in Anambra State, Nigeria. Journal of Economics, Management and Trade, 28(11), 85-93. http://dx.doi.org/ 10.9734/JEMT/2022/v28i111058 Nordmo, M., Sørlie, H. O., Lang-Ree, H. O., & Fosse, T. H. (2025). Decomposing the effect of hardiness in military leadership selection and the mediating role of self-efficacy beliefs. Military Psychology, 34(6), 697–705. https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2022.2054658 Nwagbala, S. C., Ifureze, P. C., & Okafor, I. P. (2022). Insecurity in Nigeria and business sustainability in selected hotels in Awka. International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development, 6(3), 1571-1580. Nweke, K., & Nkwede, J. O. (2019). The Nigerian State and Hobbes' social contract theory: An albatross around the collective will of the people. European Journal of Scientific Research, 152(3), 304-321. Ogunmefun, F. M., Aborisade, R. A., & Aluko, T. E. (2022). A theoretical discourse of substance abuse and security threat among Nigerian youths; Current literatures and interrogations. Renwick International of Social Sciences Journal, 3(2), 281-290. Ojo, J. S., Oyewole, S., & Aina, F. (2023). Forces of terror: Armed banditry and insecurity in North-west Nigeria. Democracy and Security, 19(4), 319-346. Okafor, L. I., Onifade, T. A., & Ogbechi, A. D. (2018). Analytical review of small and medium scale enterprises in Nigeria. International Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship Research, 6(2), 32-46. Okoye, E. O. (2022). Contribution of small and medium-scale enterprises to the growth of Nigeria’s economy. Journal of Business Research and Statistics, 4(2), 23-34. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7179752 Omogunloye, O. G., Iyasele, N. S., Olunlade, O. A., Abiodun, O. E., Salami, T. J., & Alabi, A. O. (2023). Mapping of human displacement by Boko Haram in Nigeria from 2009 to 2021. South African Journal of Geomatics, 12(1), 73-85. Ordu, A. E., & Nnam, M. U. (2017). Community policing in Nigeria: A critical analysis of current development. International Journal of Criminal Justice Sciences, 12(1), 83– 97. https://doi.org/110.5281/zenodo.345716/ IJCJS Oriazowanlan, A. O., & Erah, D. O. (2019). Effect of insecurity on micro, small and medium enterprises development in Benin-City, Edo State. International journal of Business Management, 4 (3), 75-86. Ormerod, R. (2019). The history and ideas of sociological functionalism: Talcott Parsons, modern sociological theory, and the relevance for OR. Journal of the Operational Research Society, 71(12), 1-27. https://doi.org/10. 1080/01605682.2019.1640590 Pérez-Jorge, D., Boutaba-Alehyan, M., González-Contreras, A.I., & Pérez-Pérez, I. (2025). Examining the effects of academic stress on student well-being in higher education. Humanities & Social Sciences Communications, 12, 449. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-04698-y Rahmawati, R., Hudayah, S., Setyadi, D., Purbawangsa, I. B. A., & Hendar, H. (2024). Revealing the link between open minded, uncertainty readiness and optimism in business performance for food and beverage businesses. Innovative and Economics Research Journal, 12(1), 199-226. https://doi.org/10.2478/eoik-2024-0008 Rigtering, J. P. C., Eggers, F., Kraus, S., & Chang, M. (2017). Entrepreneurial orientation, strategic planning and firm performance: The impact of national cultures. European Journal of International Management, 11(3), 301- 324. https://doi.org/10.1504/EJIM.2017.083872 Rubaca, U., & Khan, M. M. (2022). A multi-source diary study on the job resourcefulness, job satisfaction, and task performance: Will perceive organizational support moderate. Reviews of Management Sciences, 4(1), 108-124. Rukky, O. I. (2022). Insecurity in Nigeria: Evidence of a failed social contract. Retrieved from https://kiki132.com/2022/05/13/insecurity-in-nigeria-evidence-of-a-failed- social-contract/ on December 28, 2025. Saleh, M. A. K., & Manjunath, K. R. (2023). The performance of small and medium enterprises in Yemen: A cross-sectional study. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Knowledge, 11(2), 39-56. https://doi.org/10.37335/ ijek.v11i2.198 Sasan, J. M. V. (2021). The social contract theories of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke: Comparative analysis. Shanlax International Journal of Arts, Science and Humanities, 9(1), 34-45. Semedo, A. S. D., Coelho, A. F. M., & Ribeiro, N. M. P. (2016). Effects of authentic leadership, affective commitment and job resourcefulness on employees’ creativity and individual performance. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 37, 1038-1055. https://doi.org/10.1108/LODJ-02-2015-0029 Siakas, K., Vassiliadis, S., & Siakas, E. (2014). Family businesses: A diagnosis and self therapy model. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Knowledge, 2(1), 28-44. https://doi.org/10.15759/ijek/2014/v2i1/53761 Sofoluwe, A. O., Shokunbi, M. O., Raimi, L., & Ajewole, T. (2013). Entrepreneurship education as a strategy for boosting human capital development and employability in Nigeria: Issues, prospects, challenges and solutions. Journal of Business Administration and Education, 3(1), 25-50. Spiridon, K. (2022). Investigation of the relationships between academic hardiness and passion for studies with undergraduates’ affect and happiness. Springer Nature Social Sciences, 2(10), 1-23. https://doi.org/10. 1007/s43545-022-00518-1 Stephan, U., & Drencheva, A. (2017). The person in social entrepreneurship: A systematic review of research on the social entrepreneurial personality. In G. Ahmetoglu, T. Chamorro-Premuzic, B. Klinger, & T. Karcisky (Eds.), The Wiley Handbook of Entrepreneurship (pp. 205-230). John Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118970812 Tamang, L. (2023). Comparative examination of social contract theories: Insights from Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau. International Journal of Science and Research,12(7), 1959-1964. https://doi.org/10.21275/SR237 25114044 Tinto, V. (2017). Through the eyes of students. Journal of College Student Retention. Research, Theory & Practice, 19(3), 254-269. Torres, A. P., Marshall, M. I., & Sydnor, S. (2019). Does social capital pay off? The case of small business resilience after Hurricane Katrina, Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management, 27(2), 168–181. https://doi.org/10. 1111/1468-5973.12248 Umoh, V. A., Ebito, I. N., & Nsikan, J. E. (2023). Entrepreneurship education and insecurity reduction in South South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Covenant Journal of Entrepreneurship, 7(2), 21-28. Vinothkumar, M., Kousalya, K., & Rai, V. V. (2016). Moderating roles of hardiness and self- efficacy in the relationship between flow and academic procrastination on academic performance: A structural equation model approach. The International Journal of Indian Psychology, 3(2), 77-89. Zhang, Y., & Bu, X. (2024). Resilience in crisis: A longitudinal study of entrepreneurial responses to COVID-19 pandemic. European Management Studies, 22(3), 49-70. https://doi.org/10.7172/2956-7602.105.3 Zhao, Y. (2024). The importance of small business development to the national economy and the factors affecting its development. Advances in Economics Management and Political Sciences, 126(1), 205-210. https://doi.org/10. 54254/2754- 1169/126/2024.18344
More Articles from WORLD JOURNAL OF ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT STUDIES
Women Entrepreneurship and Business Growth in Yobe State
Author: Alura Addua Adeck, Umar Mustapha Kachalla Ph. D
Impact of Access to Finance on Entrepreneurial Development in Hong LGA of Adamawa State
Author: Rilwan Aliyu Saad, Precious Adukwu, Usman Muhammad Hashim, Umaru Musa
Entrepreneurial Competences and Sustainability of Manufacturing Firms in South-East, Nigeria
Author: Gabriel Friday Nweke, Prof. G.C Mgbemena
Effect of Knowledge Creation Skills and Entrepreneurial Performance of Medium Scale Enterprises in Abia State
Author: Henry, J.C, Obayi. A. Ikoro, E. I.
Financial Inclusion and Export Competitiveness of Small Enterprises in Abia State, Nigeria
Author: Nze, U.E, Onyebu, M.C and Ikoro, E. I.