International Orientation and Post‐Entry Performance of International New Ventures: The Mediating Role of Decision Rationality

ABSTRACT Drawing on decision‐making theory, this article investigates the impact of international orientation (IO) on the post‐entry performance of emerging market (EM) international new ventures (INVs) through the mediating role of strategic decision rationality (SDR). It further examines the conditions under which SDR facilitates post‐entry performance. Utilizing time‐lagged data from 211 Vietnamese INVs, our study shows that SDR mediates the relationship between IO and post‐entry performance. Moreover, the relationship between SDR and performance is amplified when information search intensity, measured as search effort and persistence, is greater. By focusing on an emerging market as the study context, we acknowledge the distinctive challenges EM INVs often face, such as weaker institutional support, limited resources, and liabilities of origin. Our findings show how IO, SDR, and systematic information search interact to enhance post‐entry performance under such conditions. In doing so, the study extends international entrepreneurship research by clarifying the mechanisms that enable EM INVs to sustain success after entry and offers valuable insights for researchers and practitioners seeking to identify drivers of competitiveness in global markets.