The Effect of Entrepreneurial Orientation on Learning Orientation, Coordination Flexibility and Product Innovation with the Mediating Role of Resource Flexibility

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Educational Sciences, Adib Mazandaran Institute of higher education, Sari, Iran.

2 Department of Business Administration, Adib Mazandaran Institute of higher education, Sari, Iran.

Abstract

The survival of small and medium-sized enterprises in an uncertain environment depends on the entrepreneurial and leadership competencies of managers and owners, along with talent, energy, and skills. The entrepreneurial vision is, in fact, the entrepreneur's overall and detailed view of the difference between the present and the desired future, and is usually optimistic, desirable, challenging, clear, concise, goal-oriented, innovative, and operational so that by expressing it, other stakeholders can be aligned with the entrepreneur. Therefore, the present study, in the form of a causal model, examined the effect of entrepreneurial orientation on learning orientation, coordination flexibility, and product innovation with the mediating role of resource flexibility in Sari Antibiotic Company. The statistical population of the study consisted of employees of Sari Antibiotic Company, whose number was 210. Based on the Krejci and Morgan table, 132 people were selected as a statistical sample using the convenience sampling method. The data collection tool was a standard questionnaire, whose face and content validity was reviewed and confirmed by experts, and its reliability was confirmed by Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Data analysis was performed in two parts: descriptive statistics (including frequency percentage, mean, etc.) and inferential statistics (including structural equation modeling) using SPSS24 and LISREL8.8 software. The results of the study indicated that all research hypotheses were confirmed and the research variables had a direct and significant effect on each other. Also, entrepreneurial orientation had the greatest effect on coordination flexibility among other variables. Coordination flexibility, mediated by resource flexibility, has an impact on product innovation at a 99% confidence level. This research provides practical recommendations for policymakers and planners.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

References
Alvarez, S. A., & Busenitz, L. W. (2001). The entrepreneurship of resource-based theory. Journal of Management, 27(6), 755–775.
Anderson, B. S., Covin, J. G., & Slevin, D. P. (2009). Understanding the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and strategic learning capability: An empirical investigation. Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, 3(3), 218–240.
Ardichvili, A., Cardozo, R., & Ray, S. (2003). A theory of entrepreneurial opportunity identification and development. Journal of Business Venturing, 18(1), 105–123.
Babak, M. R., Ahmadpourdariani, M., Mohammad Kazemi, R., & Abdoli, T. (2024). The effect of entrepreneurial orientation and supply chain resilience on the development of international businesses. The mediating role of absorptive capacity and organizational innovation moderation in Digikala Company. Entrepreneurship and Innovation Research, 3(2), 1-21. doi: 10.22034/eir.2024.473028.1092 (in Persian).
Boso, N., Cadogan, J. W., & Story, V. M. (2013). Entrepreneurial orientation and market orientation as drivers of product innovation success: A study of exporters from a developing economy. International Small Business Journal, 31(1), 57–81.
Brozovic, D. (2018). Strategic flexibility: A review of the literature. International Journal of Management Reviews, 20(1), 3-31.
Chahar, P., & Bangur, M. (2025). Exploring advanced technologies in the indian banking sector: evolution, current trends, and future prospects. International Journal of Innovations & Research Analysis, 5 (1), 104-113. doi: 10.62823/ijira/5.1(ii).7293.
Cogliser, C. C., & Brigham, K. H. (2004). The intersection of leadership and entrepreneurship: Mutual lessons to be learned. The Leadership Quarterly, 15(6), 771–799.
Covin, J. G., & Miles, M. P. (1999). Corporate entrepreneurship and the pursuit of competitive advantage. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 23(3), 47–63.
Derin, T., & Güravşar, Y. (2019). A model of strategic entrepreneurship: The construct and its dimensions. Journal of Management, 29(6), 963–989.
Ganjali, Z., & Bagheri Majd, R. (2021). The effect of entrepreneurial orientation on entrepreneurial behavior through the mediation of entrepreneurial intention in graduate engineering students. Entrepreneurship Development, 13(4), 521-540. doi: 10.22059/jed.2020.305787.653405(in Persian)
Gatignon, H., & Xuereb, J. M. (2019). Strategic orientation of the firm and new product performance. Journal of Marketing Research, 34(1), 77–90.
Ghiafeh Davoodi, Z., Chitsaz, E., & Mobaraki, M. H. (2024). Enhancing Entrepreneurial Mindsets through Cognitive-Behavioral Coaching: An Interventional-Corrective Approach from Experts’ Perspectives. Education and Management of Entrepreneurship, 3(2), 92-69. doi: 10.22126/eme.2024.10112.1085 (in Persian).
Grass, A., Backmann, J., & Hoegl, M. (2020). From empowerment dynamics to team adaptability—Exploring and conceptualizing the continuous agile team innovation process. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 37(4), 324–351.
Grewal, R., & Tansuhaj, P. (2001). Building organizational capabilities for managing economic crisis: The role of market orientation and strategic flexibility. Journal of Marketing, 65(2), 67–80.
Grinstein, A. (2008). The relationships between market orientation and alternative strategic orientations: A meta-analysis. European Journal of Marketing, 42(1/2), 115–134.
Gupta, V. K., Atav, G., & Dutta, D. K. (2019). Market orientation research: A qualitative synthesis and future research agenda. Review of Managerial Science, 13(4), 649–670.
Gupta, V., MacMillan, I. C., & Surie, G. (2004). Entrepreneurial leadership: Developing and measuring a cross-cultural construct. Journal of Business Venturing, 19(2), 241–260.
Hakala, H. (2011). Strategic orientations in management literature: Three approaches to understanding the interaction between market, technology, entrepreneurial and learning orientations. International Journal of Management Reviews, 13(2), 199–217.
Han, C., & Zhang, SH. (2021) Multiple strategic orientations and strategic flexibility in productinnovation. European Research on Management and Business Economics, 27 (2021) 100136.
Hariri, A., Naderi, N. & Shafiee, S. (2023). The Impact of Knowledge Management on Academic Entrepreneurship (Case Study: The University of Applied Sciences and Technology). Journal of Entrepreneurship Research, 2(1), 63-76. doi: 10.22034/jer.2023.1971438.1009 (in Persian).
Harrison, C., Burnard, K., & Paul, S. (2018). Entrepreneurial leadership in a developing economy: A skill-based analysis. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 25 (3), 521–548.
Hitt, M. A., Ireland, R. D., & Rowe, G. W. (2005). Strategic leadership: Strategy, resources, ethics and succession. Handbook on responsible leadership and governance in global business (pp. 19–41).
Ho, J., Plewa, C., & Lu, V. N. (2016). Examining strategic orientation complementarity usingmultiple regressionanalysis andfuzzy set QCA.Journal of Business Research, 69(6), 2199–2205.
Huang, S., Ding, D., & Chen, Z. (2014). Entrepreneurial leadership and performance in Chinese new ventures: A moderated mediation model of exploratory innovation, exploitative innovation and environmental dynamism. Creativity and Innovation Management, 23(4), 453–471.
Ireland, R. D., Covin, J. G., & Kuratko, D. F. (2009). Conceptualizing corporate entrepreneurship strategy. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 33(1), 19–46.
Kuratko, D. F., Ireland, R. D., & Hornsby, J. S. (2001). Improving firm performance through entrepreneurial actions: Acordia’s corporate entrepreneurship strategy. The Academy of Management Perspectives, 15(4), 60–71.
Li, Y., Liu, Y., Duan, Y., & Li, M. (2008). Entrepreneurial orientation, strategic flexibilities and indigenous firm innovation in transitional China. International Journal of Technology Management, 41, 223–246.
Mohammad Kazemi, R., Talebi, K., Davari, A., & Dehghan Najmabadi, A. (2017). Designing a model for empowering small and medium-sized knowledge-based businesses with a DEMATEL approach. Quarterly Journal of the Iranian Management Sciences Association, 16(61), 16-1. (in Persian).
Mok, K. H., & Kan, Y. (2013). Promoting entrepreneurship and innovation in China: Enhancing research and transforming university curriculum. Frontiers of Education in China, 8(2), 173–197.
Moradi, S., Abdollahi, A., Hoseinikashkooye, S., & Khorshidi, G. (2025). A conceptual model for controlling strategic assumptions in entrepreneurial business management: integrating change analysis and intelligent strategic orientation. Education and Management of Entrepreneurship, 4(1), 127-144. doi: 10.22126/eme.2025.12049.1169 (in Persian).
Mosleh, A. M., Bahreini Zadeh, M., & Karimi Ghahfarokhi, S. (2016). The effect of strategic orientation dimensions on export performance of export companies in Bushehr province. Modern Marketing Research, 6(4), 125-140. doi: 10.22108/nmrj.2017.21272 (in Persian).
Naderi, N., KHodadousti, M., & Khosravi, E. (2025). Conceptualizing the improvement of entrepreneurial behavior among students at razi university with an emphasis on the development of entrepreneurship education. Journal of Entrepreneurship Research, 4(1), 37-52. doi: 10.22034/jer.2024.2015048.1071 (in Persian).
Naderi, N., Rezaee, B., Karamian, F., & Khosravi, E. (2025). Exploring the phenomenon of non-participation of beneficiaries of the imam khomeini relief foundation in kermanshah province in entrepreneurship and employment generation projects: application of grounded theory. Education and Management of Entrepreneurship, 3(4), 91-114. doi: 10.22126/eme.2025. 11821.1148 (in Persian).
Nafisi, F., & Mohammad Kazemi, R. (2024). Providing an open innovation model for high-tech startups in the unit of industries related to information technology. International Journal of Nonlinear Analysis and Applications, 15(4), 159-172. doi: 10.22075/ijnaa.2023.29764.4339.
O’brien, R. M. (2007). A caution regarding rules of thumb for variance inflation factors. Quality & Quantity, 41(5), 673–690. doi: 10.1007/s11135-006-9018-6.
Peyman, S. H., Masoumi, S. S., & Asgharpour Sareshkeh, M. H. (2024). Entrepreneurial Strategies in the Development of Port Clusters for Accessing the Global Grain Value Chain (Case Study: Bandar Anzali). Education and Management of Entrepreneurship, 3(3), 69-92. doi: 10.22126/eme.2024.10968.1110 (in Persian).
Rahimnia, F., Sajjad, A. (2016). The impact of strategic orientations on the performance of companies located in Khorasan Science and Technology Park through organizational innovation. Innovation Management, 4(2), 87-114. (in Persian).
Rajaei Lari, Z., Alami, F., & Abbasi Kasani, H. (2024). Conceptualizing the role of job education and employment opportunities in enhancing entrepreneurial attitudes among sixth-grade students. Education and Management of Entrepreneurship, 3(1), 44-17. doi: 10.22126/eme.2024.10280.1090 (in Persian).
Rauch, A., Wiklund, J., Lumpkin, G. T., & Frese, M. (2009). Entrepreneurial orientation and business performance: An assessment of past research and suggestions for the future. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 33(3), 761–787.
Renko, M., El Tarabishy, A., Carsrud, A. L., & Br¨ annback, M. (2015). Understanding and measuring entrepreneurial leadership style. Journal of Small Business Management, 53 (1), 54–74.
Roberts, E. B. (2018). Evolving toward product and market-orientation: The early years of technology-based firms. The Journal of Product Innovation Management, 7(4), 274–287.
Rowe, W. G. (2001). Creating wealth in organizations: The role of strategic leadership. Academy of Management Perspectives, 15(1), 81–94.
Sanchez, R.(1995). Strategicflexibility inproduct competition. StrategicManagement Journal, 16(S1), 135–159.
Sawaean, F., & Ali, K. (2020). The impact of entrepreneurial leadership and learning orientation on organizational performance of SMEs: The mediating role of innovation capacity. Management Science Letters, 10(2), 369–380.
Serrano Archimi, C., Reynaud, E., Yasin, H. M., & Bhatti, Z. A. (2018). How perceived corporate social responsibility affects employee cynicism: The mediating role of organizational trust. Journal of Business Ethics, 151(4), 907–921.
Seyfirasooliyan, B., Naderi, N., & Rezaei, B. (2022). Analysis of barriers to universities moving toward open innovation (A case study: Razi University). Journal of Entrepreneurship Research, 1(1), 47-66. doi: 10.22034/jer.2022.697511 (in Persian).
Sheng, M. L., & Chien, I. (2016). Rethinking organizational learning orientation on radical and incremental innovation in high-tech firms. Journal of Business Research, 69(6), 2302–230.
Shiri, N. & Badpa, B. (2024). Predicting the Entrepreneurial Intention based on the Financial Intelligence Dimensions: A Study among Accounting Students. Journal of Entrepreneurship Research, 3(2), 51-64. doi: 10.22034/jer.2024.2031156.1128 (in Persian).
Shiri, N., Mirakzadeh, A. A., & Zarafshani, K. (2022). Determinants of entrepreneurial behavior among iranian students: a gender analysis. Journal of Entrepreneurship Research, 1(1), 87-101. doi: 10.22034/jer.2022.697520 (in Persian).
Sinkula, J. M., Baker, W. E., & Noordewier, T. (2019). A framework for market-based organizational learning: Linking values, knowledge, and behavior. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 25(4), 305-318.
Soomro, B. A., & Shah, N. (2019). Determining the impact of entrepreneurial orientation and organizational culture on job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and employee’s performance. South Asian Journal of Business Studies, 8(3), 266–282. doi: 10.1108/SAJBS-12-2018-0142.
Taherpour Kalantari, H., & Hosseini, S. M. (2019). The effect of learning orientation on strategic innovation in light of organizational innovative climate. Strategic Management Studies, 43, 81-93. dor: 20.1001.1.22286853.1399.11.43.5.8 (in Persian).
Wales, W. J. (2015). Entrepreneurial orientation: A review and synthesis of promising research directions. International Small Business Journal, 34(1), 3–15
Wanasika, I. (2014). In search of global leadership. Journal of International Business and Cultural Studies, University of Northern Colorado,1-17.
Wang, C. L. (2018). Entrepreneurial orientation, learning orientation, and firm performance. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 32(4), 635–657.
Xing, Y., Liu, Y., Boojihawon, D. K., & Tarba, S. (2020). Entrepreneurial team and strategic agility: A conceptual framework and research agenda. Human Resource Management Review, 30(1), Article 100696
Zhou, K. Z., Yim, C. K., & Tse, D. K. (2005). The effects of strategic orientations on technology- and market-based breakthrough innovations. Journal of Marketing, 69(2), 42–60. doi: 10.1509/jmkg.69.2.42.60756.

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 18 February 2025
  • Revise Date: 25 April 2025
  • Accept Date: 26 April 2025

Share

How to cite

Statistics