Navigating the Polycrisis: A Systematic Literature Review of Strategic Agility and Organizational Resilience in Times of War and Global Instability

Abstract

The global business landscape in the last five years has been defined by a "polycrisis"—the simultaneous convergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the armed conflict in Ukraine, and escalating climate risks. This article provides a systematic literature review (SLR) of 173 Scopus-indexed contributions and supplemental academic texts to map how organizations navigate these disruptions through strategic movement and agility. Grounded in Dynamic Capabilities Theory and the Resource-Based View, this study identifies a significant "innovation readiness gap," where 83% of firms prioritize innovation while only 3% are prepared to execute it. The results highlight the emergence of "Digitainability" as a core resilience mechanism and provide a comprehensive mapping of research methods, geographic focus, and findings. This study offers a new perspective on "Radical Incrementalism" and "Weak Ties" as essential tools for business survival in volatile environments.