Abstract
Abstract
Social networks play a significant role in business continuity; different social relationships—both weak and strong—are often essential in supporting entrepreneurial activities, such as discovering opportunities and pooling resources. Studies have shown that the roles of weak and strong ties differ at each stage and from one activity to another. There are few studies that have dealt with the role of social networks in crisis and entrepreneurship, especially regarding how strong and weak relations influence crisis management in entrepreneurial projects. The strength of these relations may differ by gender due to variations in social norms and network accessibility. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is characterised by a unique religious and social culture, and despite the transformations it is undergoing that support increased female participation in the economy, it still faces some gender-related challenges. This paper thus proposes a conceptual framework that illustrates how social ties support entrepreneurs’ resilience in crises and examines the differences between women and men in the support they receive from social ties during such periods.