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Betting on the future: how to build antifragility in innovative start-up companies

Author

Listed:
  • Vincenzo Corvello

    (University of Messina)

  • Alberto Michele Felicetti

    (University of Calabria)

  • Ciro Troise

    (University of Turin)

  • Mario Tani

    (University Federico II)

Abstract

While after a crisis, organizational robustness and resilience are associated with the return to pre-shock conditions, antifragility is characterized by the tendency to take advantage of the shock to improve the organization’s position. Understanding how to create antifragility is important to ensure rapid recovery from a crisis. This is especially true for innovative start-ups, which if they are particularly fragile also have the opportunity to improve their unstable situation by adapting to the new context. However, studies on the subject are rare. To fill this gap, a survey was carried out with 181 Italian innovative start-ups to investigate the relationship between antifragility and intangible resources, tangible surplus resources, and absorptive capacity. The results show that antifragility is supported by a combination of tangible and intangible resources that can help innovative start-ups thrive when other organizations succumb.

Suggested Citation

  • Vincenzo Corvello & Alberto Michele Felicetti & Ciro Troise & Mario Tani, 2024. "Betting on the future: how to build antifragility in innovative start-up companies," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 18(4), pages 1101-1127, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:rvmgts:v:18:y:2024:i:4:d:10.1007_s11846-023-00636-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s11846-023-00636-x
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Innovative startup companies; Antifragility; Resilience; Intellectual capital; Absorptive capacity; Innovation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M13 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - New Firms; Startups
    • O34 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Intellectual Property and Intellectual Capital

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