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This study aims to thoroughly investigate how the different dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) influence firm performance in the Iranian knowledge-based industry. An empirical analysis of data from 155 Iranian knowledge-based firms was performed by employing the PLS method of structural equation modelling. Findings show that there is semantic redundancy among the different dimensions of EO. Specifically, just two of the five dimensions, proactiveness and risk-taking, could account for all the effects of EO on firm performance in the context of the Iranian knowledge-based industry. In addition, moderation, spuriousness, suppression of industrial contingencies and control variables were not at play. From a theoretical point of view, our work confirms that scholars should avoid considering EO as a holistic gestalt in different contexts. It also highlights that proactiveness and risk-taking are the orientations with the strongest effects on performance in Iranian knowledge-based firms. From an empirical point of view, our study sheds light on the importance of these two specific EO dimensions in the selection of human resources and in the development of policies aimed at fostering sustainability of knowledge-based firms. In addition, it represents a contribution to understanding how EO dimensions work in emerging countries, characterised by social and economic systems different from those of the Western world.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to verify if and how national culture affects firms’ environmental proactivity, by using a specific index: the Carbon Disclosure Score (CDS). Design/methodology/approach The study, an analysis of two linear regression models, examines how cultural values, measured by the Global Leadership and Organizational Behavior Effectiveness Research “should be” scores, affect companies’ environmental proactivity measured by CDS. Data about CDS derive from the Carbon Disclosure Project, which monitors Global 500 companies each year. Findings The analysis reveals that the values of in-group collectivism, performance orientation, assertiveness and uncertainty avoidance negatively affect firms’ environmental proactivity, while future orientation and gender egalitarianism have a positive impact. Research limitations/implications In spite of the limitations inherent in the indicator and the limited sample, the paper has some interesting implications. On a theoretical level, this study extends prior research in the field of organizations and natural environment, by examining the specific role exerted by national cultural dimensions on firms’ environmental proactivity. Practical implications From a practical standpoint, the study suggests that corporations and policy regulators should be sensitive toward national idiosyncrasies and formulate the environmental strategies according to the cultural values and contextual environment of the relevant region. Creating policies based on cultural values and adapting policies to a country’s culture can improve the effectiveness of environmental policies and raise individual and corporation awareness on the topic. Originality/value Most contributions consider environmental strategy at the national level. This study, instead, focusses on the effects of national culture on the environmental proactivity of firms.

PurposeEntrepreneurship, in many low-resilient economies, plays a critical role in overcoming external shocks. Thus, it is crucial in such situation that entrepreneurial firms can survive and even grow so that the whole economy can benefit from a higher level of resilience. The purpose of this study is to understand how entrepreneurial orientation (EO) brings about firms' performance through the moderating role of CEOs' self-transcendence values in the context of a low-resilient sanctioned economy.Design/methodology/approachThis is a quantitative research that employs hierarchical regression analysis of a sample of 114 Iranian entrepreneurial firms composed of 62 knowledge-based and 52 creative firms.FindingsThe analysis revealed that in the low-resilient sanctioned economy, Iran, EO-performance link is moderated by the level of CEOs' self-transcendence value, that is, higher level of CEO self-transcendence leads to stronger impact of EO on performance. This moderation is not different in creative sector vs. knowledge-based sector of the economy.Originality/valueThis paper addresses a major gap in the traditional EO-performance relationship which is related to the role of CEO values. Also, the context of Iran's low level of economic resilience adds more novelty to this study, emphasizing on the role of CEO personal values of self-transcendence in times of crisis. The results could also be generalized in many economies now facing the COVID-19 pandemic crisis during which CEOs' self-transcendence values are vitally important in overcoming the difficulties of doing business in such situation.