Organizational antecedents model of sustainable entrepreneurial orientation: multi-case study of Iranian firms

Abstract

Purpose In this paper, the authors have tried to propose an organizational antecedent’s model of sustainable entrepreneurial orientation. It is believed that firms with high degree of entrepreneurial orientation are more plausible to prosper. Therefore, the authors are looking on how they can use organization factor to achieve sustainable entrepreneurial orientation. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a multiple case-study approach while incorporating content analysis and interpretive structural modeling. After reviewing previous studies on entrepreneurial orientation and corporate entrepreneurship, multiple case study including six firms from different industries in Iranian economic context were studied to discover the main organizational antecedents of sustainable entrepreneurial orientation using content analysis. Furthermore, interpretive structural modeling methods were used to determine the relationship between realized antecedents. Findings The findings show that the organizational antecedents of sustainable entrepreneurial orientation are coaching, succession plans, organizational learning, chief executive office, professional staff, organizational alignment and key resources and capabilities. The proposed structural model shows the relationship between organizational antecedents of entrepreneurial orientation and coaching is determined as the building stone of sustainable entrepreneurial orientation. Practical implications Researchers believe that findings will help managers and practitioners on how to design organizational factors in their organization. Hence, they can strengthen factors that promote entrepreneurial orientation and make it sustainable to enhance organizational performance. Originality/value While entrepreneurial orientation construct is a well-recognized concept in the previous studies, little is known about its organizational antecedents. Current research identified model organizational antecedents to achieve sustainable entrepreneurial orientation.