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1 – 10 of 127Samuel Adomako, Bedman Narteh, Joseph Kwadwo Danquah and Farhad Analoui
Research on entrepreneurial orientation (EO) has concluded a positive link between EO and firm performance and that relationship depends on several contingencies. The purpose of…
Abstract
Purpose
Research on entrepreneurial orientation (EO) has concluded a positive link between EO and firm performance and that relationship depends on several contingencies. The purpose of this paper is to derive insights from the absorptive capacity and contingency perspectives to introduce extra-organizational advice as a moderator of the relationship between EO and firm performance in a dynamic environment.
Design/methodology/approach
Using survey data from 340 small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana, the study examines the moderating influence of extra-organizational advice on the EO-firm performance relationship in dynamic environments.
Findings
The study’s empirical findings suggest that extra-organizational advice amplifies the EO-performance relationship in dynamic environments.
Research limitations/implications
The cross-sectional design of the study does not permit causal inferences to be made regarding the variables examined. Future studies may use longitudinal design to examine the causal links of the variables. Limitations aside, the study helps to answer how extra-organizational advice translates EO into improved performance in an environment characterized by constant flux.
Practical implications
The results of this paper can assist entrepreneurs and policy makers in understanding the dynamics and processes involved in implementing a strategic orientation to achieve higher performance. For SME managers, firm performance is determined by high levels of EO and extra-organizational advice in dynamic environments. The understanding of this issue can promote the development and maintenance of entrepreneurial ventures.
Originality/value
The paper examines an important, but under-researched issue – the moderating effect of extra-organizational advice on the EO-performance relationship in dynamic environments. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the present study pioneers research in this area.
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Stephen E. Lanivich, Laci M. Lyons and Anthony R. Wheeler
Social cognitive theory suggests that entrepreneurs' characteristics affect entrepreneurial outcomes through interaction with their environment. This study examines the…
Abstract
Purpose
Social cognitive theory suggests that entrepreneurs' characteristics affect entrepreneurial outcomes through interaction with their environment. This study examines the relationship between entrepreneurs' characteristics and performance in the context of entrepreneurial nascence.
Design/methodology/approach
This study investigated lagged-panel responses from a sample of 100 confirmed nascent entrepreneurs. Data collected on three separate occasions included core self-evaluations, commitment, fear of failure and success. PLS analysis was used to assess mediation of commitment on the self-evaluation – success relationship.
Findings
Core self-evaluations are an important predictor of entrepreneurial success in nascent-stage entrepreneurs participating in pre-venture assistance programs; positively affecting success and commitment, while negatively affecting fear of failure.
Research limitations/implications
This investigation contributes to a fuller understanding of social cognitive theory as it pertains to nascent entrepreneurship. Furthermore, contrary to general expectations found in the entrepreneurship literature, the authors uncover a context where entrepreneurs' characteristics are relevant predictors of early entrepreneurial outcomes.
Practical implications
Results showed core self-evaluations as a robust predictor of perceived success in nascent entrepreneurs. Administrators of pre-venture assistance programs should consider screening applicants to programs designed to assist nascent entrepreneurial opportunity development for signs of high core self-evaluations.
Originality/value
This study advances theory by (1) demonstrating the value of assessing nascent entrepreneurs' core self-evaluations as a specific predictor of early-stage entrepreneurial outcomes, (2) suggesting social interaction amidst participation in pre-venture assistance programs makes commitment a salient part of perceived success and (3) providing evidence that entrepreneur-level characteristics need consideration in the context of nascent entrepreneurship and pre-venture assistance programs.
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Prantika Ray and Sunil Kumar Maheshwari
The paper tries to understand the needs of the international assignees across the different stages of expatriation and how different developers in the professional and…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper tries to understand the needs of the international assignees across the different stages of expatriation and how different developers in the professional and non-professional sphere render support and advice through these stages.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, the authors have interviewed 20 expatriates of various nationalities and tried to understand the various needs of the expatriates across the three initial stages of an assignment.
Findings
The paper finds that four important mentors in an expatriation assignment play multiple need-based mentoring functions at various assignment stages: host country nationals (HCNs), parent country nationals, fellow expatriates and family.
Research limitations/implications
This paper contributes to the literature on the need-based support rendered to expatriates during an international assignment. The paper, however, does not incorporate the perceptions of other vital stakeholders in the network and their intentions to contribute to the developmental network.
Practical implications
This paper lays down important practical implications for expatriates and the human resource management (HRM) professionals. This paper urges the practitioners to take a nuanced approach for developing expatriates than a generalized mentoring programme.
Originality/value
This study highlights the changing needs of the international assignees across the stages of an international assignment and demonstrates the important intra-organizational and extra-organizational developers such as family members in the fulfilment of these needs.
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Harpreet Singh Bedi, Sandeep Vij and Rayees Farooq
The aim of this paper is to provide a unique perspective on entrepreneurship by examining how different ways of understanding entrepreneurial orientation (EO) affect business…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to provide a unique perspective on entrepreneurship by examining how different ways of understanding entrepreneurial orientation (EO) affect business performance (BP). The study uses a five-dimensional approach to understand EO’s relationship with BP.
Design/methodology/approach
A personal survey of key informants (who have decision-making power in their firm), one each from 550 North Indian firms has been conducted. The hypotheses were tested using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling.
Findings
The results indicate that both uni-dimensional and multi-dimensional conceptualizations of EO are equally valid and have a significant impact on BP. The study highlights the contextual nature of the relationship between EO and BP.
Practical implications
This study supports a comprehensive five-dimensional approach to EO, benefiting researchers and management practitioners. It validates an integrated measurement of BP and advances entrepreneurship theories, enabling broader generalizations for improved decision-making and strategy development.
Originality/value
The study is relevant for researchers and management practitioners. This study supports the five-dimensional conceptualization of EO and reveals the relevance of both uni-dimensional and multi-dimensional conceptualizations of EO. The study also lends support to the integrated approach of BP measurement. The results may also help to generalize entrepreneurship theories.
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This study aims to find that entrepreneurial activities can spur entrepreneurial firms' superior performance, but this effect is contingent on the different levels of government…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to find that entrepreneurial activities can spur entrepreneurial firms' superior performance, but this effect is contingent on the different levels of government innovation subsidies. Extending the institutional perspective explanation and entrepreneurship perspective explanation, this study examines how a firm's entrepreneurial orientation (EO) affects its superior performance when it receives innovation subsidies.
Design/methodology/approach
Entrepreneurial firms in China, an emerging economy, are taken as the context for empirical evidence. A large-scale questionnaire survey is used for firm data collection. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression is employed to test the hypothesized model using a sample of 287 entrepreneurial firms.
Findings
The results show a curvilinear, inverse U-shaped moderating effect in the relationship between EO and firm performance. This relationship is strongest at intermediate levels of innovation subsidies but is comparatively weaker when innovation subsidies are low or high.
Originality/value
The study contributes to entrepreneurship research by examining the nonlinear moderating effect of innovation subsidies on entrepreneurial firms' performance. The study also contributes to entrepreneurship theory by elaborating on the innovation subsidy scheme and how it facilitates the development of entrepreneurial activity.
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James M. Crick, Dave Crick and Giulio Ferrigno
Guided by resource-based theory, this study unpacks the relationship between an export entrepreneurial marketing orientation (EMO) and export performance. This is undertaken by…
Abstract
Purpose
Guided by resource-based theory, this study unpacks the relationship between an export entrepreneurial marketing orientation (EMO) and export performance. This is undertaken by investigating quadratic effects and the moderating role of export coopetition (cooperation amongst competitors in an international arena).
Design/methodology/approach
Survey responses were collected from a sample of 282 smaller-sized wine producers in Italy. This empirical context was ideal, as it hosted varying degrees of the constructs within the conceptual model. Put another way, it was suitable to test the underlying issues for theorising purposes. The hypotheses and control paths were tested through a three-step hierarchical regression analysis.
Findings
An export EMO had a non-linear (inverted U-shaped) association with export performance. Furthermore, this link was positively moderated by export coopetition. With too little of an export EMO, small enterprises might struggle to create value for their overseas customers. With too much of an export EMO, owner-managers could experience harmful performance outcomes. By cooperating with appropriate industry rivals, small companies can acquire new resources, capabilities and opportunities to help them to boost their export performance. That is, export coopetition can stabilise some of the potential dangers of employing an export EMO.
Originality/value
The empirical findings signified that an export EMO has potential dark-sides if these firm-wide behaviours are not implemented effectively. Nevertheless, cooperating with competitors in export markets can alleviate some of these concerns. Collectively, unique insights have emerged, whereby entrepreneurs are advantaged by being strategically flexible and collaborating with appropriate key stakeholders to enhance their export performance.
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Uma Shankar Rangaswamy and Sanjay Chaudhary
While prior research has theorized the relevance of adaptive capability (AC) to firm performance, skepticism remains regarding boundary conditions of the AC – performance…
Abstract
Purpose
While prior research has theorized the relevance of adaptive capability (AC) to firm performance, skepticism remains regarding boundary conditions of the AC – performance relationship. This study aims to attempt to understand the intervening effect of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) impacting strategic business unit (SBU) performance. The authors further explore the moderating influence of the success trap on the AC – EO relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
Data from a sample of 293 SBU heads in an Indian information technology (IT) firm is analyzed using ordinary least squares regression. The authors performed a mediation and moderation test on the data using the Hayes PROCESS SPSS macro. Specifically, this study used Model 4 and Model 7 of the PROCESS macro to test the mediation and moderated–mediation models.
Findings
The results reveal that EO positively mediates the relationship between AC and SBU performance and the success trap negatively moderates the AC – EO relationship.
Research limitations/implications
The paper refers to empirical research of strategic business units of an IT services firm in India. Further research in other cultures and industry settings is required to generalize the findings.
Practical implications
The findings suggest that to improve performance, managers in entrepreneurial software firms should develop an adaptive and innovative culture to avoid success traps.
Originality/value
The study establishes the crucial role of a firm’s AC as the driver of improved performance in a turbulent environment. This study complements the literature concerning the AC-performance relationship with the introduction of EO as mediating variable.
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Mawuli Amedofu, David Asamoah and Benjamin Agyei-Owusu
The number of entrepreneurial start-ups operating in developing countries has grown tremendously in recent years. However, research suggests that most start-ups in developing…
Abstract
Purpose
The number of entrepreneurial start-ups operating in developing countries has grown tremendously in recent years. However, research suggests that most start-ups in developing countries fail shortly after becoming operational. The purpose of this paper explores how supply chain management (SCM) practices may enhance the performance of start-ups in developing countries.
Design/methodology/approach
The study develops and empirically tests a research model which explores the effect of SCM practices on customer development and start-up performance. A survey of 300 start-ups operating in Ghana was conducted, with 72 usable responses obtained. The research model was analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling.
Findings
The results confirmed the positive impact of SCM practices on customer development and start-up performance. Customer development was also found to positively impact start-up performance. Additionally, a partial mediation role of customer development on relationship between SCM practices and start-up performance was observed.
Originality/value
To the best of the researchers’ knowledge, this is the first study that empirically explores the effects of SCM practices on the performance of start-ups. This is also the first study that examines the effect of SCM practices on customer development to the best of the researchers’ knowledge.
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Manuel-Alejandro Ibarra-Cisneros and Felipe Hernandez-Perlines
Firms must be constantly looking for markets and business opportunities and developing new products; to do so, they must find ways to increase their competitiveness, productivity…
Abstract
Purpose
Firms must be constantly looking for markets and business opportunities and developing new products; to do so, they must find ways to increase their competitiveness, productivity so that it is noticed in their financial statements. The purpose of this paper is to establish the influence of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) in business performance (BP) of small and medium-sized enterprises of the manufacturing sector in Mexico. Likewise, it is intended to demonstrate how absorptive capacity (ACAP) allows moderating this important relation.
Design/methodology/approach
Analyzing important theoretical and empirical contributions as regards this topic, a survey was designed and applied to 165 manufacturing firms, and by means of partial least squares structural equation modeling resorting to SmartPLS, the research hypotheses were tried.
Findings
The obtained results indicate that indeed, EO positively influences BP; in like manner, ACAP has a moderating effect on this relation. Thereby, it can be established that the manufacturing sector carries out the right practices that aim at increasing entrepreneurial competitiveness.
Research limitations/implications
The main limitation of the paper is its regional scale, not national; however, the typology of the manufacturing sector in the country is very similar, as the analyzed subsectors are the most relevant at a national level. Moreover, the existence of international value chains is also found in the rest of the country, so these chains are not exclusive to the region. Another limitation is that even if the analysis focuses on the main manufacturing subsectors, it would have been interesting to analyze if the behavior is similar in other subsectors.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to broadening the studies on EO, ACAP and BP in a different context. Besides, it allows contrasting the results obtained in an eminently manufacturing country with other economies less dependent on this sector. It also contributes to broadening the multidimensional analysis of the manufacturing sector in Mexico, as the authors of the present paper have also performed studies over similar lines in the same sector.
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Discusses methodological aspects of case study research and qualitative data collection and analysis. Discusses the choice of a research strategy and data collection and analysis…
Abstract
Discusses methodological aspects of case study research and qualitative data collection and analysis. Discusses the choice of a research strategy and data collection and analysis methods according to theory as well as the arguments which lead to qualitative case research. Suggests steps in research processes according to different authors and considers in more detail the theory and practice of each of these steps (case study design; preparing for data collection; conducting case studies; analysing data; and reporting). Concludes that carrying out qualitative case study research, in the author’s experience, is first and foremost a matter of learning by doing.
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