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Relational Resources, Digital Capability, and Value Proposition Innovation: Impact on Entrepreneurial Performance in Chinese Snack Enterprises

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  • Haibo Li

    (Faculty of Economics and Management, Huanghe Jiaotong University, Jiaozuo 454950, China
    Faculty of Business, Economics and Accountancy, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Malaysia)

  • Hong Loong Ang

    (Faculty of Business, Economics and Accountancy, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Malaysia)

  • Noor Fzlinda Fabeil

    (Faculty of Business, Economics and Accountancy, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Malaysia)

Abstract

This paper aims to conduct an empirical study on the influence of relational resources (RR) and digital capability (DC) on entrepreneurial performance (EP), as well as to examine the mediating role of value proposition innovation (VPI). This research seeks to fill the gap in the existing literature regarding the impact of relational resources and digital capability on entrepreneurial performance. Data were collected from 191 respondents from small snack food production enterprises in China. The Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) method was employed to analyze and measure both direct and indirect effects and to test the hypothesized model. The findings indicate that while relational resources and digital capability do not have a significant positive influence on entrepreneurial performance, they significantly positively influence value proposition innovation, which in turn has a significant positive effect on entrepreneurial performance. Therefore, value proposition innovation fully mediates the relationship between relational resources, digital capability, and entrepreneurial performance. This study contributes to resolving the ongoing debate on the influence of relational resources and digital capability on entrepreneurial performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Haibo Li & Hong Loong Ang & Noor Fzlinda Fabeil, 2025. "Relational Resources, Digital Capability, and Value Proposition Innovation: Impact on Entrepreneurial Performance in Chinese Snack Enterprises," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-16, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:2:p:671-:d:1568457
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Fatemeh S. Shahmehr & Seyed Mohammad Sadegh Khaksar & Reza Zaefarian & Kambiz Talebi, 2015. "How relational embeddedness affects business performance through trust: empirical research on emerging SMEs," International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 26(1), pages 61-77.
    3. Satish Nambisan, 2017. "Digital Entrepreneurship: Toward a Digital Technology Perspective of Entrepreneurship," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 41(6), pages 1029-1055, November.
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