Entrepreneurs Experience and Firm Innovativeness: Multiple Mediation of Attitudinal and Behavioral Competencies

Abstract

This study was anchored on a postpositivism paradigm and the Theory of perceived attributes and individual innovativeness, regarding the multiple serial mediations of attitudinal and behavioral competencies in the relationship between the entrepreneurs' experience and firm innovativeness. To test the hypothesized relationship a cross-sectional design and qualitative approach were employed. The study drew on a sample of 698 Micro and Small-scale entrepreneurs in Western Kenya. Questionnaires were the main data collection tools. Results indicate that entrepreneurial attitudinal and behavioral competencies had a mediating effect on the relationship between the entrepreneurs' experience and firm innovativeness among adult women entrepreneurs while among youth men were partial mediation. The direct effect of entrepreneurial experience on the level of innovativeness was significant for youth respondents but not adult women respondents. This study identifies entrepreneurial attitudinal and behavioral competencies as critical inputs for enhancing firm innovativeness hence, appropriate supportive policies and programmes are required.

Exploring performance of software houses

“…Firm innovativeness is an important approach, especially relevant to software firms research. The software firms face dynamic changes and mostly relay on newest technology for business success (Nassiuma et al , 2018). Firm innovativeness possesses the potential to weaken mistakes by advance thinking and helps software houses to establish their businesses within technology-intensive industries (Fischer et al , 2018).…”

“…Firm innovativeness in view point of firm innovative culture encourages the management and employees of the organization in the process of developing the novel ideas and also helps to solve problems in a unique and newest way (Alegre and Pasamar, 2018). Researchers of innovation show that firm innovativeness results in firm innovation; however, this study focuses on the performance as major outcome of firm innovativeness (Nassiuma et al , 2018). Firm innovativeness is imperative for offering a guideline to firm on innovation through which these firms can support their employees to implement new practices and approaches for utilizing their new ideas (Nawaser and Jahanshahi, 2018).…”