The primary purpose of this article is to clarify the nature of the entrepreneurial orientation (EO) construct and to propose a contingency framework for investigating the relationship between EO and firm performance. We first explore and refine the dimensions of EO and discuss the usefulness of viewing a firm's EO as a multidimensional construct. Then, drawing on examples from the EO-related contingencies literature, we suggest alternative models (moderating effects, mediating effects, independent effects, interaction effects) for testing the EO-performance relationship.

Clarifying the Entrepreneurial Orientation Construct and Linking It To Performance

Effective organizations are configurations of management practices that facilitate the development of the knowledge that becomes the basis for competitive advantage. A market orientation, complemen...

Market Orientation and the Learning Organization

This article outlines a conceptual model of entrepreneurship as an organizational-level phenomenon. The model is intended to depict the organizational system elements that relate to entrepreneurial...

A Conceptual Model of Entrepreneurship as Firm Behavior

https://isiarticles.com/bundles/Article/pre/pdf/9619.pdf

Entrepreneurial orientation and small business performance : A Configurational Approach

Entrepreneurial orientation (EO) has received substantial conceptual and empirical attention, representing one of the few areas in entrepreneurship research where a cumulative body of knowledge i ...

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Entrepreneurial Orientation and Business Performance: An Assessment of Past Research and Suggestions for the Future

Strategy Formation Patterns, Performance, and the Significance of Context

This research explores the relationship between strategic learning capability—a firm's proficiency at generating, and then acting on, strategic knowledge—and entrepreneurial orientation (EO). While theory posits the inevitably of building strategic learning capability from behaving entrepreneurially, there is little empirical research to validate this proposition and even less understanding of how and why EO contributes to strategic learning capability. Empirical results from 110 manufacturing firms confirm the direct effect of EO on strategic learning capability, and support is found for three constructs—structural organicity, market responsiveness, and strategy formation mode—that fully mediate the EO-strategic learning capability relationship. Copyright © 2009 Strategic Management Society.

Understanding the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and strategic learning capability: an empirical investigation

Content and performance of growth-seeking strategies: A comparison of small firms in high- and low technology industries☆

This article describes a study of the impact of strategic mission on the relationships between firm performance and selected strategic, structural, and tactical variables. Moderated regression analysis and subgroup analysis were used to analyse data collected from 91 advanced technology manufacturing companies. Results indicate that firms with build-oriented strategic missions, relative to those with more hold- and harvest-oriented strategic missions, performed better when they: (1) adopted entrepreneurial strategic postures; (2) had organic organization structures; (3) offered relatively low product prices; (4) employed relatively large sales forces; (5) offered relatively generous customer credit; and (6) offered relatively broad product lines. On the other hand, firms with hold- and harvest-oriented strategic missions, relative to those with more build-oriented strategic missions, performed better when they emphasized R&D activity geared toward the development and refinement of existing products. Strategic mission did not moderate the effectiveness of the firms’advertising expenditures or their new product development activity.

Dennis P. Slevin

Papers

Strategy Formation Patterns, Performance, and the Significance of Context

Understanding the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and strategic learning capability: an empirical investigation

Content and performance of growth-seeking strategies: A comparison of small firms in high- and low technology industries☆

Implementing strategic missions: effective strategic, structural and tactical choices

Balancing strategy and tactics in project implementation.