Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

12-2022

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Department

Business Administration

Committee Chair

Joseph Hair, Ph.D.

Advisor(s)

Dr. Donald Mosely, Dr. Robyn Stefanone, Dr. Gwendolyn Pennywell

Abstract

Drawing on dynamic capabilities’ theory, this study examines the impact of entrepreneurial knowledge (EK) on firm performance in Oman, a member nation of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). In addition, two aspects of dynamic capabilities: (1) opportunities recognition and (2) opportunities exploitation, were explored as potential mediators of the indirect relationship between entrepreneurial knowledge and firm performance. Using a cross-sectional survey design (N=102), the study found entrepreneurial knowledge has a direct, positive, statistically significant relationship on firm performance, as measured by customer satisfaction and market effectiveness. At the same time, the sequential mediation of opportunity recognition and opportunity exploitation was positive and significant. In contrast, the proposed mediated relationship from EK through opportunity exploitation to firm performance was not significant. A subsequent analysis proposing business IT dependency (ITD) of SMEs in Oman (tech firms versus non-tech firms) as a moderator of the relationships between entrepreneurial knowledge and the sequential order mediation of opportunity recognition and opportunity exploitation to firm performance was not significant. The relatively small sample size of this study or other underlying factors, such as cultural factors, may have influenced the proposed mediated moderated results. Therefore, based on the literature, further investigation is needed to better understand these relationships. Overall, the xiii findings provide an initial understanding of potential relationships between EK and firm performance in less developed countries.

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