Search Results (50)

Digital maturity (DM) has emerged as a popular concept for explaining how higher education institutions (HEIs) develop digitally supported academic teaching and learning, research, administration, and community outreach (third mission). However, DM is often framed as a technical problem of adopting information and communication technologies (ICTs), infrastructure, and tool deployment. In this paper, we conceptualize DM as an organizational capability that enables HEIs to align digital tools with strategy, governance, and teaching. Building on entrepreneurial orientation (EO) research, we argue that EO is an antecedent of digital maturity, but that this relationship cannot be realized without a change-supportive organizational culture. We develop a conceptual model in which EO is positively associated with DM, both directly and indirectly through the change-ready organizational culture, and present propositions for future empirical research. We provide a preliminary qualitative evaluation of the model through in-depth interviews with stakeholders in a single, digitally advanced university case from the Southeast Europe (SEE) region. Based on the thematic analysis, we identify patterns suggesting that CRC links EO and DM in this case. We use the findings to refine construct boundaries and show possible mechanisms; assessing generalizable effects is left to future quantitative studies on larger national and regional samples. Full article

This paper investigates the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and marketing performance (MP) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Oman, with specific focus on the mediating roles of digital marketing capabilities (DMC) and digital marketing implementation (DMI). Although there has been evidence of the performance benefits of EO, there has been limited empirical evidence to illustrate how entrepreneurial behavior translates into marketing performance through digital channels in emerging markets. Using the Resource-Based View and Dynamic Capabilities Theory, this study bridges this gap to examine the mediating dual roles of digital capabilities and implementation in an SME setting. The data for this study was collected from 402 SME employees using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings of this study reveal that EO has a positive direct impact on MP and also an indirect relationship with MP via both DMC and DMI, thus confirming that marketing performance in entrepreneurial firms becomes superior when digital readiness and implementation synergies become aligned. The implications of this study for SME managers and policy-makers who aim to improve digital competitiveness in SMEs in emerging markets such as Oman are provided. Further studies may investigate this model in different countries or use longitudinal approaches to analyze how changes in dynamic capabilities over time affect marketing performance. Full article

Social media has emerged as a powerful marketing channel for smallholder farmers, reshaping how they engage with consumers through direct online interactions and content sharing, while also facilitating the communication of sustainable agricultural practices. This study investigates social media marketing usage among smallholder farmers in Saudi Arabia and examines its impact on marketing capabilities through the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), sustainability orientation (SO), and entrepreneurial orientation (EO). Survey data collected from 300 farmers were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results indicate that perceived usefulness (β = 0.195, p < 0.001) and perceived ease of use (β = 0.511, p < 0.001) significantly influence social media marketing usage, with perceived ease of use exerting the strongest influence, while perceived usefulness remains a significant enabler. Social media marketing usage also positively affects sustainability orientation (β = 0.525, p < 0.001) and enhances marketing capabilities both directly and indirectly through sustainability orientation, which acts as a significant mediator. Entrepreneurial orientation further exerts a positive influence on social media usage, marketing capabilities, and financial performance. The model explains 53.6% of the variance in social media marketing usage, 40.3% in marketing capabilities, and 73.5% in financial performance. The study extends TAM by conceptualizing sustainability orientation as a value-creation mechanism through which social media marketing use is transformed into enhanced marketing capabilities, rather than as a mere outcome of digital adoption. The findings offer practical and policy-relevant insights for strengthening digital literacy, sustainability-driven marketing strategies, and agricultural digital infrastructure. Full article

Micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in emerging markets often face resource and capability constraints, highlighting the need to leverage digital innovation for improved performance. Although entrepreneurial orientation (EO) is widely recognized as a driver of firm performance (FP), the capability-based mechanisms linking EO to performance through digital innovation remain underexplored. To address this gap, this study develops and empirically validates a Digital Innovation Opportunity Transformation (DIOT) framework, which explains how EO enhances FP through sequential capability mechanisms—digital opportunity recognition and digital opportunity exploitation—and how IT-environmental support (ITES) strengthens these effects. Using survey data from 286 Ethiopian MSEs and structural equation modeling, the findings reveal that EO has a significant positive impact on FP (β = 0.14, p < 0.05) and generates indirect benefits through internal digital innovation capabilities. Additionally, ITES amplifies these indirect pathways, suggesting that supportive digital infrastructures enhance the outcomes of EO-driven innovation efforts. The study advances theoretical understanding by validating the DIOT framework and elucidating the internal mechanisms linking EO to FP. It also offers practical insights for managers, technology providers, and policymakers seeking to promote EO-led digital innovation in resource-constrained emerging economies. Full article

This study investigates how artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities shape sustainable entrepreneurship (SE) among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in emerging economies. Focusing on knowledge management (KM) as a mediator, entrepreneurial orientation (EO) as a moderator, and government policy support (GPS) as an enabler, the research draws upon the Knowledge-Based View, Dynamic Capabilities Theory, and Institutional Theory. Using data from Saudi Arabian SMEs operating within the Vision 2030 agenda, the structural model demonstrates that AI primarily influences sustainability when firms possess robust KM systems capable of translating digital insights into actionable practices. Both EO and GPS strengthen the conversion of knowledge into sustainable outcomes, where EO fosters innovation and proactivity, and GPS provides essential resources and legitimacy. Nevertheless, excessive reliance on policy incentives may divert firms toward compliance rather than substantive transformation. Conceptually, this paper situates KM at the core of sustainability transformation, with policy support shaping the institutional context. The findings offer actionable guidance for SME managers and policymakers seeking to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through strategic engagement with AI and KM. Full article

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

Entrepreneurial intention research requires further examination of systemic relationships between constructs of comprehensive models that will more closely approximate the ontological realities of individuals. This research jointly examines relationships among basic individual values and constructs from the theory of planned behavior, entrepreneurial orientation, and entrepreneurial intention while accounting for multiple contextual factors. Situational factors are accounted for by random determination of mediators, examination of 23 model configurations, and use of quasi-random samples (e.g., respondents with different demographic factors from different organizations, industries, and regions) from two culturally and economically contrasting countries, the United States and India. Models were analyzed using PLS-SEM. Contrary to the “common view”—the idea that Western countries are individualistic and Asian and Latin American countries are collectivistic—individual personal focus values and passion relationships were stronger for India’s sample than for the United States. Contrary results were found for basic individual social focus values and subjective norms relationships. Results show a lack of stark disparities between the two country samples. Hence, it seems that between-country differences have been overemphasized, while more attention to context and to within-country variability is required. This study expands the entrepreneurial orientation nomological network by jointly considering basic individual values and TPB’s and EO’s constructs anteceding entrepreneurial intention and examining a large set of model configurations while accounting for multiple situational factors in two culturally and economically contrasting countries. 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

This research examines how sustainability driven innovation and performance factors influence Nepali tourism-oriented small and medium enterprises (SMEs) operating with limited resources. It investigates the relationships between entrepreneurial leadership (EL), network orientation (NO), and entrepreneurial orientation (EO) by integrating the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Strategic Fit Theory. The study positions strategic flexibility (SF) as a moderator between EL and NO in shaping startup performance (SP), with technological innovation capabilities (TIC) acting as a mediator. EO plays a critical role in startup success, helping businesses overcome resource constraints and adopt sustainable practices such as green technologies and energy-saving methods. Through TIC, SMEs convert strategic orientations into competitive advantages, enabling them to address environmental and social sustainability challenges. In Nepal’s fragmented tourism sector, NO and EL do not directly affect organizational performance. However, the findings confirm that SF’s adaptive capability bridges EL and SP, underscoring adaptability as a key driver of sustainable growth. The research provides valuable insights into tourism and entrepreneurship in resource-scarce settings, highlighting adaptive strategies and technological advancement as critical for resilience and long-term sustainability. To explain how tourism SMEs in resource-constrained contexts, such as Nepal, achieve sustainable growth, the study integrates the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Strategic Fit Theory. The findings indicate that strategic flexibility (SF) and technological innovation capabilities (TIC) play significant mediating and moderating roles in linking entrepreneurial strategies to performance within fragile ecosystems. While previous research has primarily focused on advanced economies, this study demonstrates how SF and TIC mediate entrepreneurial strategies in fragile environments, offering practical implications for sustainable development in emerging markets. Full article

This study aims to conduct a systematic literature review on entrepreneurial orientation (EO) in social entrepreneurship to clarify theoretical boundaries, integrate diverse findings, and identify research gaps. The “Theory–Context–Characteristics–Methodology” (TCCM) framework is adopted to analyze 81 articles on EO in social entrepreneurship. The review reveals that the field remains fragmented due to diverse theoretical and empirical contributions. The study highlights the need for future research to adapt theoretical perspectives to understand EO’s unique and hybrid aspects in social entrepreneurship, expand empirical research into under-represented geographical areas, conduct more longitudinal and qualitative studies to track changes in EO over time, and explore new variables that can further our understanding of EO in social entrepreneurship. The novelty of this study lies in the application of the TCCM framework to systematically analyze the literature on EO in social entrepreneurship. This framework facilitates the organization and evaluation of theoretical underpinnings, methodologies, contexts, and variables to identify relevant research gaps and future directions on the topic. Full article

The study evaluates the interest of business-educated Gen Z in pursuing careers in various industries and their potential to accelerate Green Innovation (GI). It specifically focuses on Gen Z in Europe, who are business-educated and pursuing their career in different industry sectors, and aiming to address climate change and sustainable practices. By adopting Green Entrepreneurial Orientation (GEO) and building Absorptive Capacity (AC), companies can significantly contribute to improving Environmental Orientation (EO) by appealing to Gen Z—their future employees and customers. The study aims to survey 280 business-educated Gen Z people in Europe. The findings of the study show that the relationship between absorptive capacity and environmental orientation is not always significant, and the impact can be negligible, specifically when the firms have a low commitment to environmental strategies and have a limited strategic emphasis on sustainable practices. The study aims to encourage innovation and sustainable growth among firms, opening the door to a more sustainable future and attracting goodwill from environmentally oriented Generation Z. The publication/article presents the results of the project financed from the subsidy granted to the Krakow University of Economics. Full article

In the competitive hospitality sector, the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is essential for enhancing operational efficiency and improving customer experiences. This study explores how key entrepreneurial traits—Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO), Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy (ESE), and Perceived Business Performance (PBP)—influence managers’ attitudes toward adopting AI in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Ts research utilizes data from 287 respondents, gathered through field research with a survey designed to measure the relationships among constructs, employing structural equation modeling (SEM) for analysis. Results reveal that PBP and certain ESE dimensions, such as Initiating Investor Relationships and Developing New Products, have only a modest positive effect on AI adoption. In contrast, EO—specifically Proactiveness and Innovativeness—exhibits a weak negative impact. Importantly, none of these factors directly affect managers’ attitudes toward AI. Instead, this study highlights that managers’ positive attitudes are the strongest predictors of AI adoption, aligning with the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The findings offer new insights into key entrepreneurial factors driving AI adoption and emphasize the need for targeted education and supportive policies to facilitate AI integration in hospitality SMEs. Fostering a positive perspective on AI is more important for adoption than overcoming skepticism, as negative attitudes do not influence AI adoption. Full article

This study examines how integrating the critical components of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) can improve the adaptability of microenterprises by applying the Viable System Model (VSM). Given the crucial role of microenterprises in job creation, entrepreneurship promotion, and social cohesion, the need for approaches that ensure their success in turbulent environments is highlighted. We applied Social Network Analysis (SNA) to analyze a co-occurrence network to identify critical EO factors relevant to microenterprises and to understand how authors relate them to the structure of the VSM using a Californian microenterprise as a conceptual model. These factors include innovation, autonomy, control implementation, market orientation, and change management, organized into the five functions of the VSM. The results suggest that this conceptual framework strengthens organizational responsiveness in disruptive environments, promoting internal cohesion and more informed decision-making. Although the specific characteristics of each microenterprise require adjusting the VSM to their particular needs, this study provides a solid basis for applying the key elements of EO in the VSM, underscoring the need for further research to adapt this approach to different contexts to improve organizational agility in the face of exogenous shocks. Full article

This study explores the intricate relationships between entrepreneurial orientation (EO), digital orientation (DO), strategic agility (SA), and competitive advantage (CA) in Saudi firms. We investigate whether strategic agility serves as the missing link in these relationships. We examine direct and indirect effects among these constructs using structural equation modeling on data collected from 307 Saudi firms. The results confirm the direct positive links between EO and SA with CA. However, the findings also reveal a surprising result—there is no direct link between DO and CA. At the same time, both DO and EO exerted significant positive influences on SA. This study emphasizes the mediating role of SA. We find that SA partially mediates the relationship between EO and CA, underlining the importance of EO while pointing out the additional value given to this relationship by SA. Additionally, SA fully mediates the relationship between DO and CA, suggesting that firms must develop SA to translate their digital capabilities into CA. These results contribute to the strategic management literature by explaining the interplay between strategic orientations, agility, and competitive advantage in the Saudi context. They also provide practical implications for managers seeking to enhance the competitiveness of their firms during this digital age by showing that investing in SA in conjunction with entrepreneurial and digital resources is of paramount importance. Full article

Applying information technology capabilities (ITC) to business processes is critical in the current data and information age. However, various bottlenecks and barriers restrict the adoption of ITC. To address these obstacles, fostering an entrepreneurial orientation (EO) can be beneficial. Drawing on the dynamic capabilities view, this study develops and tests a model that empirically analyzes how EO influences the adoption of ITC. The proposed model also assesses the separate and joint effects of EO and ITC on firm performance (FP). The research hypotheses were tested using a survey of 157 Chilean firms, and the PLS-SEM method was applied. The findings indicate that EO promotes the development of ITC and that the synergistic relationship between the two positively affects FP. These findings provide valuable insight for managers in terms of aligning their strategic approach with technological capabilities to enhance their company’s success. Full article