Title: How agents, resources and capabilities mediate the effect of corporate entrepreneurship on multinational firms' performance

Authors: João J. Ferreira; Cristina I. Fernandes; Marta Peris-Ortiz

Addresses: Department of Management and Economics and Research Unit - NECE, University of Beira Interior, Pólo IV - Edifício Ernesto Cruz, 6200-209 Covilhã, Portugal ' Department of Management and Economics and Research Unit - NECE, University of Beira Interior, Pólo IV - Edifício Ernesto Cruz, 6200-209 Covilhã, Portugal ' Department of Business Organization, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera, s/n. Valencia 46022 Valencia, Spain; CETYS University, Baja California, Mexico

Abstract: This study established a broad theoretical framework combining agency theory and resource and capacity theory. We sought evidence of these theories' implications for corporate entrepreneurship (CE) and an understanding of how corporate entrepreneurship affects performance. To identify relationships between these theories and concepts, we designed a research model and tested it using data from a questionnaire to 114 multinational firms. Findings provide general support for this theory, indicating that CE is positively associated with principal management-based incentives and capabilities on performance.

Keywords: agency theory; resource and capacity theory; corporate entrepreneurship; performance; multinationals.

DOI: 10.1504/EJIM.2018.091369

European Journal of International Management, 2018 Vol.12 No.3, pp.255 - 277

Received: 08 Jul 2015
Accepted: 21 Mar 2016
Published online: 30 Apr 2018 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article