From resourcefulness to results: when and how entrepreneurial bricolage enhances firm performance

Purpose Although research on entrepreneurial bricolage (EBR) has gained significant scholarly attention, the contextual and boundary conditions under which it enhances firm performance (FPR) remain unclear. This study aims to examine how the effect of EBR on FPR varies across different levels of strategic competency (SCM), digital technology capability (DTC) and competitive intensity (COMP). Design/methodology/approach An exploratory survey was conducted using data from 326 tech start-up entrepreneurs across multiple sectors in Kerala, India. The study used two-way and three-way interaction analyses using PROCESS Macros to test the proposed hypotheses. Findings The results indicate a significant positive effect of EBR on FPR. Furthermore, this relationship is significantly moderated by SCM, COMP and DTC. The three-way interaction analysis reveals that COMP moderates the role of SCM in the EBR–FPR relationship and DTC acts as an operational enabler supporting FPR under varying levels of COMP. Practical implications The findings offer valuable insights for entrepreneurs and policymakers by highlighting the importance of adopting a context-sensitive approach to EBR. Originality/value This study extends Resource Orchestration Theory (ROT) and contributes to the EBR literature by identifying three critical and previously unexplored boundary conditions and demonstrating their interactive roles in the EBR–FPR relationship.