Collaborators and risk-taking innovators in pursuit of entrepreneurial performance: a configurational perspective

Purpose This study aims to explain the role of inter-organizational collaboration in reaching entrepreneurial performance. In particular, the study seeks combinations of dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and inter-organizational collaboration that lead to increased performance in small manufacturing companies; the examined dimensions of EO are risk-taking, innovativeness and proactiveness, whereas inter-organizational collaboration is represented by collaborative orientation (CO) and entrepreneurial collaboration (EC). Design/methodology/approach This study employs fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to identify combinations of factors that lead to increased performance. The sample consists of 150 small furniture manufacturers operating in Poland (out of 1,480 in the population). Data have been collected in 2022. Findings The results of the fsQCA examination showed that a combination of dimensions of EO and inter-organizational collaboration can lead to an increase in firm performance. In particular, two configurations of their dimensions were identified, that is, EC combined with innovativeness and CO accompanied by proactiveness. Moreover, both dimensions of collaboration can be supportive in the combination of risk-taking and innovativeness. The results contribute to the discussion on the nature of entrepreneurship by showing that collaboration can be supportive in achieving entrepreneurial performance. Originality/value Using a configurational approach, this study adds value to research on inter-organizational collaboration in the EO context by identifying specific configurations comprising dimensions of EO and inter-organizational collaboration leading to increased performance. These findings contribute to the literature on small businesses by indicating inter-organizational collaboration as a way to overcome the constraints of small firms sourced in their limited resources.