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Understanding the impact of learning orientation and the mediating role of new product development capability on social enterprises' performances

Misagh Tasavori (Graduate School of Management and Economics, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran) (Essex Business School, University of Essex, Southend on Sea, UK)
Charan Raj Bhattarai (Essex Business School, University of Essex, Southend on Sea, UK)

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research

ISSN: 1355-2554

Article publication date: 9 December 2022

Issue publication date: 9 February 2023

407

Abstract

Purpose

Social enterprises (SEs) offer a unique context as they have the challenge of finding solutions that not only improve their economic performance but also their social performance, simultaneously. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether learning orientation and new product development capability can support SEs to enhance both their economic and social performances.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative research design has been employed and data have been collected from a sample of 164 SEs in the UK.

Findings

The findings of this study illustrate that if SEs want to enhance their economic performance, they should ensure that learning orientation leads to new product development capability. Otherwise, learning orientation cannot improve their economic performance. However, surprisingly, learning orientation can impact SEs' performance not only by developing new product development capability but also by having a direct impact on their social performance.

Originality/value

This article contributes to the social entrepreneurship literature by illustrating the role of learning orientation and new product development capability in enhancing the economic as well as the social performance of SEs.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Dr. Tasavori is currently employed by University of Essex. Part of this paper was written when she was working at Sharif University of Technology.

Citation

Tasavori, M. and Bhattarai, C.R. (2023), "Understanding the impact of learning orientation and the mediating role of new product development capability on social enterprises' performances", International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, Vol. 29 No. 2, pp. 530-551. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-12-2021-1009

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited

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