Louis D. Marino

University of Alabama | UA · Department of Management and Marketing

In this study, we theorize how regulatory, normative, and cognitive institutions moderate the entrepreneurial orientation (EO)‐performance relationship. We test our hypotheses using data from entrepreneurial ventures in 31 countries. In countries with well‐developed legal and financial institutions and where entrepreneurship is normatively supporte...

Research examining mental health and entrepreneurship has found important links between mental health and entrepreneurship. These findings have led scholars to suggest a fit between some aspects of mental health, and in particular, mental dysfunction, and entrepreneurship. This paper complements extant studies in this area by examining the mental h...

The primary purpose of our whitepaper is to make strategic recommendations for growing the ecosystem of benefit corporations in the State of Alabama. We begin by highlighting the necessity of benefit corporations, and briefly reviewing their history and national growth trends. We highlight how other states and regions have been successful in growin...

We posit that environmental hostility exhibits an inverse U-shaped relationship with a firm’s entrepreneurial orientation. We suggest a nuanced perspective on the threat rigidity argument that firms generally retrench from entrepreneurial capital allocation behaviors as hostility increases. We argue that firms are likely to act opportunistically an...

The last few years have witnessed a significant increase in academic research examining entrepreneurial orientation (EO), with scholarship on this topic being regularly published internationally. This special issue addresses the need to develop a deeper understanding of EO in the global context. Globalisation and the growing popularity of entrepren...

While many firms operate in dynamic environments, the competitive conditions faced by firms during an economic crisis are especially unstable and turbulent. We examine firm strategic decision-making in this distinctive context and investigate the question of whether causal and effectual logic provide similar paths to performance during such challen...

This paper reports the results of investigating differences in measures of disparate treatment, or discrimination, in the small firm credit market that are related to loan size. Because small loans tend to be less profitable to originate than large loans, the competitive nature of the product markets for large and small loans may be quite different...

Small/medium enterprises (SMEs) constitute most firms in the United States; thus, the issues that impact their performance are significant for many stakeholders. A factor that enhances firm performance is a firm's adoption of an entrepreneurial orientation (EO). However, studies do not extensively examine the role of human resources, which are impo...

While a significant body of literature has explored the link between entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and firm performance, most research has focused on single country settings without considering potential institutional factors that may shape the relationship. In this study, we investigate the impact of institutional elements of the external envir...

This article presents a relational lifecycle model of the emergence of network capability in new ventures. Network capability is defined as a strategic ability learned in interaction with business partners. We focus on the foundational phases and processes of the emergence of this dynamic capability. The lifecycle model comprises three phases that...

This article presents a relational lifecycle model of the emergence of network capability in new ventures. Network capability is defined as a strategic ability learned in interaction with business partners. We focus on the foundational phases and processes of the emergence of this dynamic capability. The lifecycle model comprises three phases that...

We shed new light on the structure of the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and firm performance and how this relationship varies across contexts. Using commonality analysis, we decompose the variance in performance—in terms of the effects of innovativeness, proactiveness, and risk taking—into parts that are attributable to uniq...

Recently, entrepreneurship scholars have started to show interest in how " negative " traits associated with mental disorders such as ADHD may have positive implications in entrepreneur-ship. While this research has the potential of producing important and counter-intuitive results, it is still in its infancy and the causal mechanisms that drive th...

Machiavellian, narcissistic, and psychopathic traits are often viewed as negative or undesirable personality traits. However, recent research demonstrates that individuals with these traits possess qualities that may be personally beneficial within the business contexts. In this chapter, we conceptualize a balanced perspective of these traits throu...

The examination of how anti-social cognitive processes impact entrepreneurship is still in the nascent stage. Previous research examining the direct relationship between anti-social cognitive processes and entrepreneurial behaviors has met with mixed results with some evidence suggesting a positive relationship between them. We extend this literatu...

Recent conceptual contributions to the discussion of modeling and operationalizing EO have demonstrated the benefits of distinguishing variance that is unique to single dimensions of EO and variance that is shared among all (or just two) dimensions of EO (George & Marino, 2011). In this paper we take this conceptualization to its next level and do...

Previous research examining the relationship between environmental hostility and a firm’s entrepreneurial orientation (EO) has been plagued by inconsistent results. The current study draws upon theories of constrained strategic choice and threat rigidity to shed light on the complex nature of the hostility-EO relationship. Utilizing data consisting...

Purpose The purpose of this research is to investigate the combination of relational and organizational resource factors that influence small‐to‐medium‐sized firm satisfaction with their supply chain portfolio performance. Design/methodology/approach This research employs two complementary theoretical lenses frequently used in the explanation of r...

This paper explores the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation (EO) (i.e., their innovativeness, proactiveness and risk-taking) and financial performance in nursing homes. We hypothesize that nursing homes that are more proactive will report better short-term financial performance, while when firms with higher propensities for innovativen...

A cognitive approach for explaining venture creation decisions offers great insights into entrepreneurship research. Examining venture creation decisions from a perspective that considers the cognitive states and perceptions of entrepreneurs further informs the critical role of cognitive constructs in entrepreneurial decision-making. This study pro...

Previous studies have generally established a positive relationship between aggregated measures of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and firm performance. However, there are theoretical reasons suggesting that three dimensions of EO (innovativeness, proactiveness, and risk-taking) may possess differential relationships with performance in smaller fi...

The present research builds on the growing body of research examining the relevance of processes and behaviors internal to the firm, as organizational antecedents of EO. In doing so we develop a conceptualization of EO that subdivides EO along the causal chain of attitude, intention, and behavior. We propose that the alignment of attitudes, intents...

Innovation requires the entrepreneurial capabilities of opportunity recognition and opportunity exploitation. Such capabilities generally accrue over time from a firm's cumulative learning and experience. In this study, we theorize that firm age should therefore moderate the firm's ability to leverage these capabilities for innovation activity, suc...

In this manuscript, we examine the evolution of the Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) concept in an effort to identify areas of concern for the future development of knowledge around the construct and provide conceptual analyses to suggest how we might best move forward in the construct's development. We suggest that the continued accumulation of kn...

This study utilizes data from 1279 SMEs spanning seven countries to assess the cross-national invariance of the Covin and Slevin entrepreneurial orientation scale. We first examine the psychometric properties of the scale across the full sample and each of the individual countries, identifying the optimal model for invariance testing. We then condu...

Noting the paucity of research linking entrepreneurial behaviors to non-financial indicators of firm performance (Zahra, 1993), numerous scholars have recently argued that future research efforts should be focused on examining the relationship between firm-level entrepreneurship and organizational learning (Zahra, Nielsen, & Bogner, 1999). However,...

Prior literature suggests two competing mechanisms for how organizations respond to environmental forces – absorption and reduction – but there is no consensus on which mechanism is more effective. We solve this puzzle by analysing one underlying dimension of these two mechanisms – organizational ambivalence – in a small and medium size enterprise...

This paper attempts to enhance our understanding of entrepreneurship in China by addressing two research questions: 1) Can entrepreneurship in China be understood through the constructs (e.g., entrepreneurial orientation) developed in Western cultures?; 2) Do entrepreneurial firms in China employ the same strategies as their Western peers do? We co...

This study utilizes data from 1,048 firms in six countries to assess the impact of national culture and certain institutions that are representative of national culture on two key dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation: risk taking and proactiveness. Eight hypotheses are developed specifying the expected relationships between four cultural dimen...

Recent research suggests that existing conceptualizations of firm-level entrepreneurship may not be sufficient in fully explaining the construct. The primary purpose of this study is to explore the fundamental dimensions underlying firm-level entrepreneurship and to empirically test a model depicting the hierarchical relationship between these vari...

Utilizing information processing theory, we investigated the role that proactiveness plays in the organizational process of perceiving objective industrial munificence. Specifically, we examined the moderating effect of proactiveness in the munificence perception process, as well as the mediating impact of perceived munificence on the relationship...

In this study we explore, describe and explain the endogenous and exogenous technological factors and considerations that drive innovation-based competitive advantage among small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).We take an integrated approach to contingently model endogenous and exogenous drivers of innovation activity in SMEs. We use hierarchic...

This study examines the hierarchical relationship between the three dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation (EO): proactiveness, innovativeness, and risk-taking. Information Processing Theory and Strategic Choice Theory were utilized to investigate the roles of both industrial munificence and opportunity perceptions in the formation of firm-level...

In seeking to exploit environmental resources and opportunities, CEOs can either set multiple goals or narrow their focus on a few targets for the organizations. What approach will help organizations to benefit more from industrial munificence? In this paper, we investigate the moderating effects of CEOs’ goal setting (including the number of goals...

This study explores differences in entrepreneurial orientation (EO) by profit status. In addition to EO, other survey questions sought to determine how firms scanned the external market for information and the firm's view of external market volatility. The sample, collected in 2004, consisted of 134 nursing home administrators located in the state...

This study examines the cross-national validity and invariance of the EO measure (Covin and Slevin, 1989) by analyzing a data set spanning 1,200 SMEs from seven countries. Results from the study can be summarized under three main headings: dimensionality, validity, and invariance. From a dimensionality perspective, study results suggest the three-f...

Overconfidence is said to be prevalent among entrepreneurs and may have implications for existing and potential entrepreneurs. More specifically, overconfidence may affect new venture creations indirectly by affecting risk perceptions. For instance, there may be misperceptions concerning risks such as threats to new venture success. However, the pe...

The critical role of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) in firm performance has been widely studied in the U.S. context. However, the examination of this key construct in emerging regions such as China has been very limited. In this article, we hypothesize that the relationship between EO and firm performance is best represented as curvilinear, as op...

Innovation is a widely accepted fundamental “specific function” of the entrepreneurial process, which is necessary for survival and success (Schumpeter, 1934; Kirzner, 1979; Drucker, 2002). In this study, we focus on the differential ability of firms to recognize opportunities and employ firm resources and capabilities to repeatedly innovate. Speci...

Environmental shocks can occur when emerging country governments open their markets to outside influences. We extend research conducted primarily in mature economies on how managers react to environmental shocks by evaluating how environmental shock type, a firm's strategic orientation, and its slack resources affected strategic alliance formation...

Purpose This study aims to examine the extent to which certain organizational characteristics of a nursing home impact its decision to target the community‐based seniors' (CBS) market by offering nursing home services to non‐residents. The study aims to hypothesize that service provision would be greater in not‐for‐profit, innovative nursing homes,...

This manuscript addresses a gap in the supply chain literature by shedding light on firm satisfaction from a cooperative relationship portfolio perspective by examining the impact of a partner's choice of an exploration or exploitation relationship strategy. In doing so we examine the impacts of relational exploration (equity investments, export ma...

Much of the discussion in finance and management employs agency theory and assumes a linear relationship between performance-based compensation and properly motivated executives. We believe that prospect theory serves as a better foundation to examine this relationship for three primary reasons. First, prospect theory holds that people overweight o...

Purpose Real options theory has been used to examine how manufacturing firms make incremental investments under conditions of uncertainty. However, it has not been extensively applied to service firms. Using real options theory, the purpose of this article is to explore how service firms make platform investments. Design/methodology/approach Data...

Extract: The buzzword of the year has been that ‘‘the world is flat,’’ now memorialized in Thomas Friedman’s book ‘‘The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century.’’ Still, this concept has been well known to any top manager for years. Take for example, President George Bush’s recent comments at the 50th annual meeting of the Asia S...

As their businesses globalize at increasing rates, managers need frameworks for analyzing industry activities on a worldwide basis. In this paper, a framework for global industry analysis is presented, using the machine tool industry to illustrate how industry overviews, global consumption and production analyses can be used to gain worldwide persp...

The concept of environmental uncertainty is recognized as a fundamental element of the strategic management and organizational theory literature. Unfortunately, the development of inconsistent conceptualizations and operationalizations of uncertainty have muddled the true meanings of the construct. In an effort to reverse this disturbing trend, thi...

This study utilized data from 1,307 firms in eight countries to assess the impact of environmental hostility on three sub-dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation (EO): innovation, risk-taking, and proactiveness. The results of this study indicate that environmental conditions play a significant role in the strategic decision-making process that o...

This study utilized data from 1,067 firms In six countries to clarify the psychometric properties of the entrepreneurial orientation (EO) measure. The first research question addressed dimensionality and explored whether EO achieved the best model fit when structured as a one-, two-, or three-dimensional measure. The results of a confirmatory facto...

This study examines the influence that national culture has on the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and strategic alliance formation. Using a sample of small- to medium-sized enterprises located in Finland, Greece, Indonesia, Mexico, the Netherlands, and Sweden, we find that firms with higher levels of entrepreneurial orientation wi...

Because entrepreneurs mature within a societal context, their attitudes toward cooperation are likely to be influenced by the underlying values of their society. Using a seven-nation sample, we find that entrepreneurs from feminine, collective, and uncertainty-avoiding societies have a greater appreciation for the strategic importance of cooperativ...

We consider the effect that national culture has on the propensity for small, independent manufacturing enterprises to (1) cooperate with other firms for technological innovation and (2) use equity ties in the formation of these alliances. Results from a five-country study indicate that national culture traits directly influence technology alliance...

Environmental uncertainty represents a critical variable in organizational research, and extent research has increasingly examined factors that impact convergence or divergence between a firm’s objective and its managers’ perceived environmental characteristics. Given its central role in entrepreneurship research, we investigated the relationship b...

The field of Entrepreneurship has experienced increased legitimacy and popularity over the last 25 years and the growth of the field over the last decade being has been exponential. The field’s evolution has benefitted from advances in both theory development and research methodology resulting in an increase in the number of entrepreneurship public...

Innovation is often the mechanism by which small businesses and entrepreneurial firms create value to displace larger and more resource-rich incumbents (Gartner, 1990). Despite the importance of innovation conflicting results in the extant empirical research have left key issues unresolved regarding the sources, determinants, and implications of in...