PurposeThe purpose of this research is to empirically examine the impact of selecting entrepreneurial framework conditions on the success of entrepreneurs in a conflict zone. The study was conducted in Kashmir, which is a fitting conflict context. The study undertaken responds to the call by multiple authors to substantiate the entrepreneurship literature with empirical evidence from conflict-affected areas. The authors argue that better entrepreneurial framework conditions will enhance entrepreneurial success in conflict zones. This research work is important because it will add to our understanding of the influences of the entrepreneurial ecosystem on entrepreneurs who pursue an entrepreneurial career in conflict zones. This research will add to the existing body of knowledge, which seemingly lacks evidence from conflict zones. Furthermore, this research is important in the Kashmir context because this research will provide insights to stakeholders such as entrepreneurs, government agencies, entrepreneurship development agencies and NGOs, etc.Design/methodology/approachThe authors surveyed 400 entrepreneurs in the manufacturing, services and retail sectors in Kashmir through a questionnaire. The self-reported responses were used for assessment of entrepreneurial framework conditions and financial and non-financial performance. The data were analysed through the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to test the hypothesised relationships. The results were considerable.FindingsThe authors found that most Kashmiri entrepreneurs do not find the entrepreneurial framework conditions supportive of their business. Upon testing the hypothesis, they found a significant and positive impact of entrepreneurial finance, government policies and cultural and social norms on entrepreneurial success. The common belief that ease in market dynamics would positively impact success was negated in this case. They found a significant and negative impact of market dynamics on success. Furthermore, the physical, commercial and professional infrastructure and services showed insignificant results.Research limitations/implicationsThis research provides insights about the requirements of entrepreneurial framework conditions in a conflict zone for achieving successful results. The current study acknowledges the call of researchers to carry out quantitative studies in conflict zones.Practical implicationsThe findings of this research might prove to be beneficial to the entrepreneurs, policymakers, government agencies and other stakeholders. If taken into consideration while formulating the policies in favour of entrepreneurs in a conflict zone, the findings of this research are an added resource. The current research might be valuable to the Government of Kashmir in recognising the perception of entrepreneurs towards the initiatives or the policies drafted in the past.Originality/valueAs per the knowledge of researchers, no such study has been conducted in Kashmir vis-a-vis the variables studied. The study is original in terms of analysing the impact of the environment on the success of entrepreneurs in a conflict zone in Kashmir.

Entrepreneurship is not only limited to the stable contexts; rather it exists in conflict zones as well. The current study presents empirical findings from a conflict-affected region Kashmir. We specifically investigated the role of select entrepreneurial competencies including opportunity, commitment, and organizing competencies and environmental factors which include entrepreneurial finance and government policies on entrepreneurial success. We found that entrepreneurial competencies and environmental factors had a direct, positive, and significant impact on entrepreneurial success in a conflict zone Kashmir. The analysis of the data also revealed that the relationship between entrepreneurial competencies and entrepreneurial success was moderated by government policies. The study is a response to the call of multiple authors for providing empirical evidences from conflict-zones. This study provides evidence for multiple stakeholders including entrepreneurs, governments, and entrepreneurship development institutes to focus on the competencies and policies so that the entrepreneurs may benefit in the long run. The study is significant because findings of this research can be extended to many areas, especially for business and entrepreneurship to survive in places undergoing conflict and strife over long years where sustenance and livelihood due to lack of stability is a continued challenge.