Title: Entrepreneurial orientation, strategic processes and SMEs' performance in a turbulent environment: an investigation of the Languedoc-Roussillon wine sector

Authors: Cãlin Gurãu; Franck Duquesnois; Alexis Catanzaro

Addresses: Montpellier Business School, 2300 avenue des Moulins, 34080 Montpellier, France ' Université Bordeaux (IUT), 35 avenue Abadie, 33072 Bordeaux, France ' Jean Monnet University (IAE), 2 rue Tréfilerie, 42023 Saint-Etienne, France

Abstract: This study investigates the relevance of adopting an entrepreneurial orientation to answer the challenges raised by a structural crisis in the Languedoc-Roussillon wine sector. In addition, the paper also investigates the relationship between the dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation, strategic processes, and SMEs' performance. The data collected from 160 small and medium-sized wine producers from the Languedoc-Roussillon region, in the South of France, is analysed using a structural equation modelling approach. The results indicate a strong causal model, which integrates sequentially the dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation, information collection, strategic planning and firm performance. The results provide an original contribution to the literature on entrepreneurial orientation, and offers useful insights into the entrepreneurial strategic process of wine producers, for the academic community, business owners, or local administration institutions.

Keywords: structural crisis; wine sector; entrepreneurial orientation; strategic planning; STP; firm performance; PERF; small and medium-sized; SMEs.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2017.085991

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2017 Vol.32 No.1/2, pp.139 - 159

Received: 07 Jul 2015
Accepted: 25 Feb 2016
Published online: 21 Aug 2017 *

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