Testing Mediating and Moderating Roles of Inter-Organizational Collaboration in the Entrepreneurial Orientation Context

Purpose: Numerous studies have shown that a competitive approach can strengthen organizational entrepreneurship and its impact on a firm’s performance. However, there is emerging evidence that collaborative approach can also play a positive role. This study examines mediating and moderating roles of inter-organizational collaboration in the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and performance. In particular, two dimensions of collaboration are tested, that is, collaborative orientation and entrepreneurial collaboration, in the context of two dimensions of performance, that is, firm growth and competitiveness. Design/methodology/approach: This study tests the sample comprising 364 micro, small and medium enterprises in Poland. Data is analysed with structural equation modelling (SEM). Findings: The results indicate that inter-organizational collaboration can play both roles, that is, mediating and moderating in the relationship between EO and performance. In-depth analyses show that collaboration played a mediating role in all four examined models and a moderating role in only one model. Therefore, the mediating role of inter-organizational collaboration is predominant in the relationship between EO and performance. Research implications: The results show that it is worth developing and investigating inter-organizational collaboration. Both the overall collaborative orientation, as well as the use of external collaboration alongside the entrepreneurial process, have the potential to contribute to firm growth and competitiveness and are promising research avenues. Originality/value: This study contributes to the literature on organizational entrepreneurship and inter-organizational relationships. It deepens our understanding of EO by showing the relevance of collaborative behaviours. It shows that collaboration can contribute to entrepreneurial performance in different ways, which is exemplified in this study in two considered dimensions of collaboration. Finally, this study provides new scales to measure collaborative orientation and entrepreneurial collaboration.