Entrepreneurial networking as a mediator between entrepreneurial orientation and business performance: Insights from small business owners in Malaysia

This research investigates the influence of entrepreneurial orientation on small business performance in Malaysia with the mediating effect of entrepreneurial networking. The responses from 146 business owners in the manufacturing sector were analysed using SPSS and Smart Partial-Least Square (PLS). The results showed that being innovative and proactive don't have a big impact on performance, but being independent, taking risks, and being competitively aggressive do. Contrary to the widespread belief about innovation and firm performance, this study highlighted possible cultural or regional effects of entrepreneurial orientation. Although limited in sample size, the results encourage further inquiry into variations within different markets. This may offer some benefits in terms of Malaysia’s small business success for practitioners and scholars as well, which accentuates the importance of entrepreneurial networking. Additionally, the findings suggest that fostering a culture of autonomy and encouraging risk-taking behaviours could be more beneficial for small businesses in Malaysia than previously thought. This insight is particularly valuable for policymakers and business advisors who aim to tailor their support strategies to the unique entrepreneurial landscape of Malaysia, and it could also serve as a focus for future research. Future research could explore these dynamics in other sectors and regions to build a more comprehensive understanding of how entrepreneurial orientation impacts business performance globally.