Title: Learning alliances, corporate entrepreneurship and business performance: is there really a linkage?

Authors: Heiko Haase, Mario Franco

Addresses: Faculty of Management and Economics, Worms University of Applied Sciences, Erenburgerstrasse 19 – 67549 Worms – Germany. ' Department of Management and Economics, University of Beira Interior, Estrada do Sineiro – 6200 Covilha – Portugal

Abstract: In this study, we investigate how learning alliances affect corporate entrepreneurship. Then, we also analyse the influence of both learning alliances and corporate entrepreneurship on business performance. In order to achieve this objective, we adopt a quantitative research approach in a cross-sectional study of 80 Portuguese small and medium-sized enterprises. For the influence of learning alliances on business performance, the impact of knowledge acquisition and absorptive capacity is mixed. When including corporate entrepreneurship, proactiveness is the decisive variable in all performance measures. Taken together, we must question that strategic learning alliances per se create value in corporate entrepreneurship and performance. In addition, we conclude that the regional economic environment matters. Several implications are presented.

Keywords: corporate entrepreneurship; learning alliances; business performance; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; knowledge acquisition; absorptive capacity; Portugal; regional economics.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2010.031271

International Journal of Business Environment, 2010 Vol.3 No.1, pp.57 - 73

Published online: 27 Jan 2010 *

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