From entrepreneurial orientation to firm growth: a sequential mediation mechanism of digitalization and organizational resilience

Purpose This study examines how entrepreneurial orientation (EO) influences firm growth (FG) in volatile contexts by considering the sequential mediating roles of digitalization (DIG) and organizational resilience (RES). Design/methodology/approach A partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach was used to examine the proposed relationships based on data collected from 400 hotels operating in Poland. The hotel industry was selected as an appropriate empirical context because it has recently faced major challenges and disruptions, including the global pandemic, economic instability, and geopolitical uncertainty. Findings The results confirm that all hypothesized direct relationships are positive and statistically significant. EO has a strong direct influence on DIG, RES, and FG. Among these constructs, RES emerges as the strongest predictor of FG, highlighting its crucial role in driving growth in volatile environments. DIG also enhances RES, indicating that technological advancement is important for developing adaptive capabilities. The key finding is the confirmed sequential mediation path EO→DIG→RES→FG, which shows that EO promotes growth by strengthening digital capabilities, which in turn build resilience and ultimately improve firm growth. Both DIG and RES also act as significant individual mediators in the EO–FG relationship. Research limitations/implications This study contributes to the entrepreneurship and firm development literature by demonstrating how EO shapes FG through the interconnected processes of digital transformation and resilience. The results provide an empirically grounded framework that deepens understanding of dynamic capabilities and helps firms achieve sustainable growth in the increasingly turbulent environments of the modern, interconnected world. Originality/value This study contributes to the entrepreneurship and firm development literature by demonstrating how EO shapes FG through the interconnected processes of digital transformation and organizational resilience. The results provide an empirically grounded framework that deepens understanding of dynamic capabilities and explains how firms can achieve sustainable growth in increasingly turbulent environments.