Search Results (197)

In an era of rapid technological advancement—particularly with the accelerated development of artificial intelligence and digital technologies—entrepreneurship enables firms to dynamically adjust their strategies in response to environmental uncertainty and helps them maintain sustainable competitive advantages over time. As a key concept in entrepreneurship research, entrepreneurial orientation (EO) has long attracted scholarly attention. However, existing studies on EO have primarily focused on its specific outcomes, while insufficient attention has been paid to its antecedents from the perspective of internal threats. Under the threat of performance shortfalls, firms’ strategic choices are influenced not only by resource constraints but also by managerial cognitive biases. Drawing on Behavioral Theory of the Firm, we explore the moderating roles of managerial overconfidence and myopia in the relationship between performance shortfalls and EO. This study aims to uncover the cognitive “black box” behind why some firms are more likely to trigger entrepreneurial behavior in adverse situations. Based on panel data from 2822 A-share listed companies in China spanning the period from 2009 to 2020, and using a fixed-effects regression model, our findings indicate that both historical and social performance shortfalls have significant positive effects on EO. Further analysis reveals that the positive impact of performance shortfalls on EO is attenuated under conditions of heightened managerial overconfidence and myopia. By enriching the boundary conditions of EO from a cognitive perspective, this study provides a theoretical explanation for how firms can engage in entrepreneurial behavior under threat by reducing cognitive biases, thereby offering both theoretical and managerial insights into how firms can maintain sustainable development under crisis conditions. Full article

Global supply chains face unprecedented challenges from geopolitical conflicts, climate change, economic volatility, and technological disruptions, highlighting the critical role of supply chain resilience as a core strategy for firms to maintain stability and competitive advantage. Grounded in the resource-based view and dynamic capability theory, this study examines how supply chain capability—that is, entrepreneurial leadership, collaborative capability, and digital transformation—enhances resilience, which mediates its impact on performance. Using structural equation modeling on survey data from Chinese firms, we find that resilience, comprising absorptive, reactive, and recovery capability, significantly mediates the relationship between supply chain capability and performance. Environmental uncertainty moderates this relationship, particularly in highly uncertain contexts, where resilience becomes a key driver of competitive advantage. Theoretically, this study extends dynamic capability theory by disaggregating resilience and exploring its mediating role. Practically, it emphasizes strengthening entrepreneurial leadership, collaborative capability, and digital transformation to improve resilience and performance in uncertain environments. Full article

Exploratory innovation plays a crucial role in the high-quality and sustainable development of organizations, but how enterprises engage in exploratory innovation within volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA) contexts remains unclear. Drawing on strategy choice theory and continuous innovation theory, this study explores the positive effects of technological capability on exploratory innovation via entrepreneurial orientation while considering environmental uncertainty as a moderating variable to elucidate the internal logic of continuous innovation within organizations. We conducted a large-scale survey of 313 Chinese firms and found the following: (1) technological capability has a significant positive impact on exploratory innovation; (2) entrepreneurial orientation plays a partial mediating role between technological capability and exploratory innovation; and (3) environmental uncertainty exerts a differential moderating influence within this mediating framework: technological uncertainty enhances the positive effect of technological capability on entrepreneurial orientation, whereas demand uncertainty intensifies the supportive effect of entrepreneurial orientation on exploratory innovation. This study reveals the internal mechanism by which technological capabilities drive exploratory innovation through entrepreneurial orientation under environmental uncertainty, providing theoretical support for enterprises to deepen their technological capability and pursue exploratory innovation and sustainable development. Full article

This research presents a comprehensive scientometric analysis of Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO), a fundamental concept in strategic management and business performance. Through a bibliometric approach, 4314 articles indexed in the Web of Science from 1975 to 2024 were analyzed using advanced network analysis tools such as VOSviewer to examine the evolution of scientific production, citations, authors, journals, institutions, and the most influential countries in the field. The findings reveal an exponential growth in “EO” research over the past decades, with a high concentration of scientific output in the last eight years. The United States leads in publication volume and citations, followed by other countries with an increasing contribution. Co-authorship patterns and academic collaboration clusters have been identified, consolidating key research lines that link “EO” with innovation, market orientation, and business performance. This study provides a comprehensive perspective on the evolution of “EO” research, offering valuable insights for academics, policymakers, and professionals interested in new theoretical directions and practical applications that foster knowledge development and business competitiveness. Full article

Social embeddedness describes the extent to which firms are integrated into a social network in different situations and is an important concept in the entrepreneurship literature. Much of the existing research on embeddedness focuses on how entrepreneurs integrate into their host countries or the business activities of transnational entrepreneurs who operate across both their host and home countries. While a limited number of studies have examined sustainable entrepreneurs, previous studies have not sufficiently examined the nature of entrepreneurs’ social embeddedness and its effect on their sustainable entrepreneurial activities. This study seeks to understand how sustainable entrepreneurs utilize their social embeddedness when navigating business challenges. This study followed a multiple-case study approach based on data collected from in-depth inquiries into eight founders of sustainable startups in Nigeria. The findings show that sustainable entrepreneurs use social embeddedness as a strategy to navigate challenges encountered at different stages of their business. The findings make a theoretical contribution by describing how sustainable entrepreneurs use social embeddedness as a strategy to navigate business challenges in a developing country context. The findings offer implications for policymakers of emerging economies and sustainable entrepreneurship support organizations. Full article

In today’s evolving society, meaningful development cannot be fully realized without acknowledging the vital role of the electronics sector, especially as it functions within informal markets. These markets have become more than just centers of commerce; they serve as informal learning grounds where many young people acquire entrepreneurial skills, develop resilience, and find alternatives to social vices. For many, informal entrepreneurship is not just an option but a means of survival and self-empowerment. Despite their growing relevance, the link between the entrepreneurial abilities nurtured in these informal markets and actual business performance has not been adequately examined. This study, therefore, aimed to explore how informal electronics entrepreneurs in a developing economy navigate their environment, overcome challenges, and create wealth through vision, innovation, and calculated risk-taking. Anchored in institutional theory, the research employed a qualitative approach, using cluster, purposive, and simple random sampling to select participants from key informal business units. Interviews were conducted, transcribed, and analyzed using QSR NVivo 12, allowing for deep insight into the lived experiences of the entrepreneurs. Findings revealed that 78% of participants emphasized practical suggestions that aid informal business survival, such as customer-driven innovations, adaptive strategies, and avoiding confrontations with regulatory agencies. Key attributes such as foresight, adaptability, and risk management accounted for 66% of the variance in corporate success. Strategic and innovative approaches are enabling informal firms to endure and prosper, since 61% of respondents associated these competencies with organizational success. The new BSP framework, which integrates institutional and contingency theories, illustrates how informal enterprises endure by conforming to or opposing institutional pressures and adjusting to environmental changes. The results indicate that, when properly understood and supported, the informal electronics sector may develop sustainably. This study demonstrates that informal entrepreneurship is influenced by formal regulations, informal norms, and local enforcement mechanisms, therefore enhancing institutional theory and elucidating business behavior in developing nations. The Business Survival Paradigm [BSP] illustrates how informal enterprises navigate institutional obstacles to endure. It advocates for policies that integrate the official and informal sectors while fostering sustainable development. The paper advocates for ongoing market research to assist informal firms in remaining up-to-date. It implores authorities to acknowledge the innovative potential of the informal sector and to provide supportive frameworks for sustainable growth and formal transition where feasible. Full article

In pursuit of sustainable management, organizations must not only balance economic, environmental, and social goals but also cultivate human-centered strategies that support long-term viability. Drawing on identity theory, this study introduces civic identity—an individual’s self-concept as a responsible member of society—into the workplace and examines how its relationship with employee identity (i.e., enhancement and conflict) influences sustainability mechanisms: work engagement, role expansion, and voice behavior. Two field studies were conducted using multi-source data from 339 employees at large conglomerates (study 1) and three-wave data from 121 employees at entrepreneurial firms (study 2). Multiple regression analyses revealed that identity enhancement positively predicted both work engagement and role expansion, which in turn strengthened voice behavior. In contrast, identity conflict showed relatively weaker negative effects, while supplementary analyses indicated that identity separation exerted more pronounced negative influences. Although identity conflict and separation did not significantly affect role expansion in study 2, the results across both studies were largely consistent. By incorporating a neglected nonwork identity that fosters sustainable employee behavior, this research expands the scope of organizational studies and sustainability science. Implications for integrating civic identity into sustainable management strategies are discussed. Full article

Pressure from competitors and regulatory interventions are external factors influencing hotels’ commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives. This study aimed to explore the relationships between perceived entrepreneurial orientation, perceived commitment to ESG practices, and corporate financial performance through the lens of the resource-based view of the firm. Additionally, the moderating effect of hotel size was analyzed. Data were collected via a survey of hotel managers in Hong Kong in 2025. The results indicate a significant relationship between perceived entrepreneurial orientation and commitment to ESG practices. This study provides a solid understanding of the relationships among perceived entrepreneurial orientation, corporate autonomy, commitment to ESG practices, and corporate financial performance. The moderating effect of corporate size reveals that size itself does not directly influence how commitment to ESG affects corporate financial performance in the hotel industry. In contrast, hotel size does influence how entrepreneurial orientation relates to ESG commitment; specifically, smaller hotels are more entrepreneurial and committed to ESG practices when they have greater decision-making autonomy. However, entrepreneurial orientation and ESG commitment do not significantly influence financial performance, regardless of hotel size. This study offers practical implications for policymakers regarding the relevance of entrepreneurial orientation and corporate autonomy in enhancing commitment to ESG practices. Full article

This study investigates the evolution of customer-centric innovations within modern business ecosystems through the lens of servitization, a concept gaining momentum in contemporary service delivery frameworks. Recognizing the limited exploration of servitization beyond manufacturing, particularly in the context of value-added services, this research employs a multiple case study methodology focused on the tea sector in India and Nepal. Drawing on seven diverse entrepreneurial cases and supported by a thematic analysis, the study identifies nine critical factors influencing successful servitization, including knowledge gaps, procurement strategies, market segmentation, and customer engagement. Central to this investigation is the transformative role of structured training interventions, exemplified by the Chaya School of Tea, which catalyzed innovation and performance improvements among participating businesses. The findings highlight how digital tools, customer education, and strategic planning contribute to product–service integration, yielding enhanced quality, operational efficiency, and sustainable growth. This research contributes to theory by refining the concept of “servitization of services” as a strategic approach for empowering ecosystems through complementary offerings that transcend traditional service delivery. This work provides both conceptual and empirical insights into how service firms, particularly in under-researched sectors, can leverage servitization to drive long-term competitiveness and ecosystem-wide value creation. Full article

We investigate what drives small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Alps–Adriatic macro-region to offer green products and services. A sample of 2305 SMEs from Flash Eurobarometer 498 is analyzed with a multinomial logit model that distinguishes firms that already offer green products/services, those planning to do so within two years, and those with no such intention. SMEs implementing ≥ 5 resource-efficiency actions are 75% more likely to offer green products/services (RRR = 1.75, p < 0.05). An increase in the share of green jobs to >30% of staff triples that likelihood (RRR = 3.65, p < 0.01). Selling only services reduces the probability by 17%. Country dummies show Austria and Slovenia as early movers, while Croatia lags. This is the first study to apply a three-outcome model to green market activity in this macroregion, thus revealing nonlinear and country-specific patterns that a binary approach would mask. This study has multiple implications for entrepreneurial practice: (i) entrepreneurs should focus on high-leverage resource-efficiency bundles (energy, waste, circular design) rather than single actions; (ii) policymakers should combine financial incentives with green-skills vouchers to accelerate adoption in service-oriented SMEs. Full article

Digitalisation has evolved as a multidimensional phenomenon and impacts the business world. SMEs heavily invest in digital platform capabilities to keep track of digital transformation, enabling them to perform business model experimentation to generate and develop innovation. This paper explores the role of these two crucial growth-promoting variables in the performance of art and craft-based firm’s performance. Through this paper, the researchers contest the argument that, although digital platform capabilities accelerate business model experimentation for firm performance, competitive advantage plays a significant mediating role. Along with these arguments, this study also explores the role of digital platform capability in business model experimentation. It examines the mediating role of business model experimentation in the forming of a competitive advantage. The research model under examination belongs to the explorative school of research; hence, the researchers have used partial least square–structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) on a sample of 211 Indian firms belonging to the category of art and craft-based businesses. The hypothesis testing results facilitate exciting insights about the direct and indirect effects of digital platform capabilities, business model experimentation, and competitive advantage on firm performance. In light of the research findings, policymakers, SME consultants, and managers may obtain practical insights in order to develop an intervention mechanism. Researchers working in this area will glean a fresh look at the antecedents of SME performance as this model is explorative; future research may explore the testing of the model in different geographic locations and industry contexts. Full article

In response to escalating environmental concerns and regulatory demands, this study investigates how circular economy entrepreneurship contributes to sustainability-oriented business performance, with a focus on the mediating role of cleaner production and the moderating role of green government subsidies. Drawing on institutional theory, the research examines how institutional pressures shape firms’ adoption of sustainable practices within the Turkish manufacturing sector. A quantitative design was employed, using stratified random sampling to collect data from 383 firms across various industries. Structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the proposed relationships. The results reveal that circular economy entrepreneurship positively influences sustainability performance, primarily through the mediating effect of cleaner production practices. Furthermore, green government subsidies strengthen the impact of circular economy entrepreneurship on both cleaner production and sustainability outcomes, underscoring the importance of policy support in enhancing the effectiveness of eco-entrepreneurial initiatives. Practically, this study provides actionable insights for managers and policymakers seeking to integrate sustainability into strategic planning, technological investment, and regulatory design. By aligning entrepreneurial innovation with institutional incentives, firms can simultaneously achieve environmental responsibility and long-term competitive advantage. Full article

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting digital entrepreneurial orientation, technology absorptive capacity, and digital innovation in business performance. To achieve the purpose of research, digital entrepreneurial orientation, technology absorptive capacity, digital innovation, and business performance (financial and technological performance) were chosen as research variables to explore the relationship effects and medicating effects. Industry type variable was selected to examine moderating effect. Industry type, employees’ numbers, and sales volumes were used as control variables to identify compounding effects of variables. A survey questionnaire was developed, and the proposed model was analyzed to target 122 small and medium venture enterprises (SMEs) in Republic of Korea. Smart PLS 4.0 and SPSS 27.0 were utilized to derive the study results as follows. First, digital entrepreneurial orientation and technology absorptive capacity have a positive influence on digital innovation. Second, digital entrepreneurial orientation has a positive impact on technology absorptive capacity. Finally, digital innovation has a positive effect on financial and technological business performance. The results of this study provide strategic implications for digital innovation and business performance for firms pursuing digital transformation. Therefore, firm managers should prioritize digital entrepreneurial orientation and technology absorptive capacity to improve business performance. Full article

Despite physical infrastructure being known as a critical enabler of entrepreneurship, cycling infrastructure and its role in entrepreneurship remain largely unexplored. However, a well-established cycling infrastructure can support green start-up activity by facilitating connectivity and the exchange of knowledge and ideas without the reliance on carbon-intensive transport, which aligns with their environmental goals. This article studies the relationship between cycling infrastructure and green start-up activity at the regional (NUTS-3) level in Germany and whether this relationship is amplified by the wider entrepreneurial ecosystem (EE). This study is virtually the first to examine how a well-established cycling infrastructure is conducive to start-up activity. With firm-level data from the IAB/ZEW Start-up Panel, multilevel regression models are used to account for differences in green start-up activity across urban, intermediate, and rural regions. The findings show a strong significant and positive relationship between cycling infrastructure and green start-up activity at the regional level, even after including various controls. However, this relationship is not amplified by the wider ecosystem. In the transition towards a Green Economy, policymakers should invest in cycling infrastructure because of its supportive role towards green start-ups. Full article

Considering the continuous diversity of the supply chain and the increasing risks involved, small and medium enterprises are overly concerned about managing related risks because these firms hardly have the capacity to bear major shocks. Furthermore, considering the resource scarcity of these firms, the moderating roles of entrepreneurial networking, and the current pace of change in technology, the moderating effect of technological turbulence has also been added to the research. Quantitative methods have been applied in this research. The data have been collected using adapted questionnaires from prior studies. A purposive sampling technique has been applied to collect the data. A sample of 99 small and medium enterprises was chosen, and their owners and managers were chosen as representatives. The framework has been evaluated using Structural equation modelling with the help of SMART PLS-3. The findings drawn from the analysis of the empirical data confirmed that supply chain risk management holds a significant impact on product innovation performance and sustainability in SMEs. Additionally, entrepreneurial networking and technological turbulence both hold a significant direct impact on product innovation performance and sustainability as well. Moreover, entrepreneurial networking and technological turbulence hold a significant moderating effect on the relationship between supply chain risk management and product innovation performance. Full article