Individual entrepreneurial orientation and firm performance: The mediating role of sustainable entrepreneurship practices

Abstract

The entrepreneurship landscape has undergone a significant transformation towards sustainability in both large and small business firms. This study investigated the effect of individual entrepreneurship orientation on sustainable entrepreneurship practices and firm performance of fisheries small and medium enterprises. The study used a structured questionnaire to gather data from a sample of 389 entrepreneurs working in the Tanzanian Nile perch fishery in Lake Victoria. Descriptive statistics and the partial least squares structural equation modeling technique were used to analyse the quantitative data. The study's findings indicated that the risk-taking, innovativeness, and proactiveness substantially impact sustainable entrepreneurship practices in fisheries small and medium enterprises but does not have a direct relationship with the firm's performance except for the innovativeness. Additionally, it was discovered that sustainable entrepreneurship practices have a complete mediation role in risk-taking and proactiveness, while they have a partial mediation role in innovativeness. Therefore, the study recommends advocacy for policies and incentives to foster the implementation of sustainable entrepreneurship enterprises among small and medium enterprises in the fisheries industry for sustainable businesses and the natural environment.