Social Entrepreneurial, Market Orientation, and Learning Orientation: Evidence from Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Kenya

Abstract

This paper aimed to examine the effect of Social Entrepreneurial, Market Orientation, and Learning Orientation among small and medium-sized enterprises in Kenya. A survey research design approach was adopted. The study population consisted of all the licensed small and medium-sized enterprises in Nairobi County, Kenya. However, out of the total 10,924 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), a sample of 386 was selected based on Yamane (1967) procedure. The data were collected with the aid of a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics. The hypotheses were tested through the entry regression analysis technique. Evidence obtained from the analysis confirmed moderating effect of market orientation on the relationship between social entrepreneurial behavior and learning orientation of small and medium-sized enterprises (p = .001, b = -.4574, t(296) = -4.0766, p < .01). This study had limitations. First, the study focused only on the aspects of social entrepreneurial behavior linking it to learning orientation. SE dimensions such as Entrepreneurial virtue and Judgment capacity may be studied in the future. Second, the study concentrated on the economy of Kenya, which is a developing country; thus, the result may vary in other economies. Based on the findings, the study recommends that small and medium-sized enterprises should develop social entrepreneurial behavior to enhance learning orientation and overall performance. Thus, the study contributes to the inconclusive debate on social entrepreneurial behavior (SE), market orientation, and learning orientation nexus as strategic organizational resources.