International Business Webinar Series -Navigating Uncertainty: Dynamic Capabilities and Entrepreneurial Opportunities in a Volatile World

In today’s global business landscape—marked by geopolitical tensions, market instability, and institutional flux—uncertainty has become the norm. Yet for entrepreneurial firms, disruption can also create space for innovation and opportunity. In this webinar, the presenters will share findings from research with SMEs in China and Tunisia—two emerging markets often characterized by volatility and institutional change. They explore how dynamic capabilities, such as resource reconfiguration, intelligence acquisition, and cross-border coordination, can support firms in navigating disruption through both opportunity creation and discovery. While the data is grounded in specific emerging market contexts, the speakers aim to remain transparent about what their findings can and cannot speak to directly. Rather than drawing universal conclusions, participants are invited to reflect on how these theoretical insights may serve as a starting point for broader thinking about strategy, innovation, and resilience in today’s uncertain world. Following a brief presentation, the hosts will facilitate a wider conversation with the audience, exploring timely questions such as: How might geopolitical and institutional shifts open up new “white spaces”—that is, previously unserved or underserved entrepreneurial opportunities? What are the strategic trade-offs between creating and discovering opportunities—and what are the risks of doing both simultaneously? How do cultural distance and globalization shape the boundaries of what firms can pursue?

Takeaways:

Turbulence Breeds Opportunity—But Only for the Strategically Prepared. SMEs with dynamic capabilities can uncover “white space” opportunities amid global conflict and trade tension.

Creation vs. Discovery: Choose Your Path Wisely. Opportunity creation and discovery require different strategies—doing both at once can hurt performance.

Context Matters. Cultural distance and industry globalization strongly influence which strategy will work best.