Organizational agility and relational trust: Unraveling the dynamics of pioneering orientation

Abstract In a context of rapidly evolving business landscapes, this study delves into the intricate factors shaping pioneering orientation, focusing particularly on organizational agility in operational and market dimensions. The research, conducted with 302 companies in Peru's World Heritage Cities, utilizes structural equation modeling to analyze mediation and moderation. The results indicate that operational agility significantly influences pioneering orientation, both directly and indirectly, through its effect on market agility. Moreover, relational trust plays a distinctive moderating role in these relationships. The findings suggest that companies should strategically channel their agility from operational to market domains to enhance pioneering orientation while being mindful of the potential consequences of excessive trust in relational networks. This study provides valuable insights for businesses navigating dynamic environments, encouraging companies to skillfully manage both operational and market agility to strengthen their PO, creating a competitive internal environment that supports the early development of new products and services.