Bricolage as Survival Strategy

This study examines how the interplay of bricolage and embedded agency shapes the survival of young entrepreneurs running regional small businesses during crisis conditions. Based on 12 semi-structured interviews, the chapter highlights the relational dimensions of entrepreneurial action, with particular attention to family, community, and informal networks. Using thematic analysis in NVivo, the findings reveal that entrepreneurs mobilize multiple forms of embedded agency such as shared norms and values, spatially grounded supply chains, and family support to sustain their ventures. The study extends entrepreneurship theory by integrating embedded agency into the concept of bricolage, demonstrating its dynamic and context-sensitive character. Practical implications highlight the importance of developing support mechanisms that leverage local social structures and strengthen community-based resilience. The chapter contributes to theory by deepening the understanding of entrepreneurial bricolage as a form of embedded collective action, while contributing to practice by providing valuable insights on how to enhance regional business resilience during periods of crisis.