Digital strategy implementation: The role of individual entrepreneurial orientation and relational capital

Successful enterprise has been related to numerous characteristics including entrepreneurial orientation. The current study aims to examine the influence of individual entrepreneurial orientation and grit dimensions on entrepreneurial success. The potential mediating role of consistency of interest and perseverance of effort, on the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and success, was also explored. Survey data were collected in Tripoli, Libya from entrepreneurs during the current economic downturn and crisis. The data from the usable 147 responses was analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modelling. The statistical results revealed a significant relationship between the individual entrepreneurial orientation, consistency of interest, and perseverance of effort, with the dependent variable, entrepreneurial success. The dimensions of grit were also found to mediate the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and success. The cross-sectional nature of the study and the smaller sample size make the findings difficult to generalize. Verification of the significance of success predictors can unravel concerns about the low rate of established and nascent businesses despite the presence of opportunities and positive perception of entrepreneurship. The study of grit dimensions as a mediator between the individual entrepreneurial orientation and success is unprecedented.

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Achieving SME performance through individual entrepreneurial orientation

Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies ◽

10.1108/jeee-03-2019-0037 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 399-411 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Tehreem Fatima ◽

Ahmad Raza Bilal

Keyword(s):

Social Networks ◽

Social Skills ◽

Social Networking ◽

Entrepreneurial Orientation ◽

Manufacturing Sector ◽

Positive Association ◽

Cluster Sampling ◽

Content Type ◽

Individual Entrepreneurial Orientation

Purpose This study has advanced the role of individual entrepreneurial orientation (IEO) as a precedent of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) performance in the emerging economies. This study aims to use the action regulation theory (ART) to show that active social networking of SME owners acts as a conduit in the above-mentioned relationship and how the social skills of SME owners improve their ability to leverage on entrepreneurial orientation and strengthen their social networking. Design/methodology/approach A three-wave time-lagged survey approach was deployed to collect data from SME owners in the service and manufacturing sector of Pakistan through cluster sampling. The analysis of results was carried out by Models 1 and 4 of Hayes (2017) PROCESS macro. Findings The findings revealed a positive association in the IEO of SME owners and their performance through a partial mediating role of active social networking. Furthermore, SME owners’ social skills played a moderating role in linking IEO of SME owners and active development of social networks. Originality/value Based on ART, this study has targeted a scantly examined psychological perspective in SME performance research and it has shown that by having entrepreneurial orientation and social skills, SME owners can develop active social networks that are an important yet neglected performance precursor in the emerging economy of Pakistan.

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