Entrepreneurial Orientation and Learning in High and Low Performing SMEs

This paper examines the relationship between an organization’s learning orientation, its information technology competency and entrepreneurial orientation. It is proposed that a commitment to learning and a culture of learning coupled with the tools and capabilities to gather and compile information and knowledge from outside organizational boundaries facilitates the identification of opportunities. Small and medium-sized firms with high levels of an entrepreneurial orientation in turn are able to capitalize on opportunities yielding higher performance levels for the firm. Data from a sample of manufacturing SMEs tends to support these propositions. Conclusions and recommendations for SME management practice is discussed.