19188: The Impact of Entrepreneurs’ Well-Being and Mental Health on Innovative Thinking During Crises

The study aims to investigate the association between entrepreneurs’ mental health and well-being and their innovative thinking during a logistics crisis. A crisis often forces entrepreneurs to become more innovative and decisive about their investments to sustain their businesses. The researchers applied both quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze how stress response, anxiety, and depressive symptoms influence the development of innovative thinking among entrepreneurs during a crisis in micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The descriptive analysis of questionnaires and interview analysis demonstrated a variability in distress and stress levels across participants while entrepreneurs innovated products, services and processes and proceeded with their investment plans in an unstable economic environment. The research findings provide academics with valuable insights concerning the impact on entrepreneurs’ stress response, anxiety and depressive symptoms on innovative thinking in distressed situations. Additionally, the study benefits practitioners in developing innovative thinking, designing and implementing strategies for innovation and committing resources for business development, financial performance and market competitiveness.

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