Title: Exploring the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and firm performance in pharmaceutical SMEs: the mediating effect of blockchain technology adoption

Authors: R. Manigandan; J. Naga Venkata Raghuram

Addresses: VIT Business School, Vellore Institute of Technology (Deemed to be University), Vellore, Tamilnadu-632014, India ' VIT Business School, Vellore Institute of Technology (Deemed to be University), Vellore, Tamilnadu-632014, India

Abstract: This study aims to investigate the impact of entrepreneurial orientation on firm performance with the mediating effect of blockchain technology adoption. The primary data were collected from 91 respondents serving as owners and managers of pharmaceutical companies in South India. SPSS was used for descriptive data analysis and partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) for structural and measurement model analysis through smart PLS4.0 software for quantitative data analysis. The results demonstrate that entrepreneurial orientation has a significant effect on firm performance. In addition, the results confirm that mediation of blockchain technology adoption positively affects the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and firm performance. Our research contributes to the literature by highlighting how blockchain technology adoption can improve firm performance in pharmaceutical SMEs. This research has yielded comprehensive theoretical and managerial implications leveraging the implementation of blockchain technology to enhance firm performance.

Keywords: entrepreneurial orientation; blockchain technology adoption; firm performance; dynamic capability view; pharmaceutical company.

DOI: 10.1504/IJWI.2025.145761

International Journal of Work Innovation, 2025 Vol.6 No.2, pp.111 - 134

Received: 10 Aug 2023
Accepted: 17 Oct 2023
Published online: 23 Apr 2025 *

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