Factors Influencing Start-ups Resilience in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This dissertation provides an empirical analysis of the factors influencing the resilience of startups within the rapidly transforming economic landscape of Saudi Arabia. As the country positions itself towards the goals of Vision 2030, with a significant focus on fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, this study becomes particularly relevant. Through a methodical quantitative approach, data from 61 startup leaders—comprising founders, co-founders, and executives—were analyzed using regression techniques to understand the influence of four key variables: entrepreneurial characteristics, use of technology, government support, and risk management strategies, on business resilience. The study found that entrepreneurial characteristics are a substantial contributor to resilience, signifying a need for startups to cultivate strong leadership and innovation capabilities. While the impact of technology use, government interventions, and risk management did not show statistical significance individually, their collective influence within the regression model suggests an integrated effect on startup resilience. These insights offer strategic implications for startup stakeholders and add a nuanced understanding of startup success factors in the context of an evolving Saudi economy. The dissertation concludes with strategic recommendations for enhancing startup resilience, acknowledging limitations, and proposing avenues for future research.