Balancing exploration and exploitation: investigating the nexus of entrepreneurial orientation, disruptive innovation and digitalization strategy

Junaid Aftab, Nabila Abid (), Fahad Aftab and Feng Wei
Additional contact information
Junaid Aftab: Tongji University
Nabila Abid: Métis Lab EM Normandie - EM Normandie - École de Management de Normandie = EM Normandie Business School
Fahad Aftab: ISP - Institute of Southern Punjab
Feng Wei: Tongji University

Post-Print from HAL

Abstract: Purpose Although the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and innovation performance is well documented, the underlying mechanisms and boundary conditions remain insufficiently understood. Grounded in the resource-based view, this study addresses the gap by examining the mediating role of disruptive innovation in the relationship between EO and innovation performance. Additionally, it explores how digitalization strategy mediates the relationship between EO and disruptive innovation. Moreover, the study investigates the moderating effects of exploitation and exploration orientations on the relationship between disruptive innovation and innovation performance. Design/methodology/approach Using random sampling, data (N = 436) were collected through a two-wave survey of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Structural equation modeling was employed for data analysis. Findings The results indicate that disruptive innovation significantly mediates the relationship between EO and innovation performance. Moreover, a digitalization strategy mediates the link between EO and disruptive innovation. While exploration orientation strengthens the positive effect of disruptive innovation on innovation performance, exploitation orientation does not demonstrate a significant moderating effect on this relationship. Originality/value This study contributes to the existing literature by providing novel insights into the outcomes of EO and offering practical implications for SMEs seeking to enhance their innovation performance.

Keywords: Innovation performance; Exploitation orientation; Exploration orientation; Disruptive innovation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-05-26
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Published in Business Process Management Journal, 2025, 32 (3), pp.910-942. ⟨10.1108/BPMJ-01-2025-0083⟩

There are no downloads for this item, see the EconPapers FAQ for hints about obtaining it.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05637148

DOI: 10.1108/BPMJ-01-2025-0083

Access Statistics for this paper

More papers in Post-Print from HAL
Bibliographic data for series maintained by CCSD ().