A framework of organization learning, entrepreneurial orientation, and external relational networks: a study of minority ethnic business performance

Abstract

This study proposed an empirical model to investigate the impact of organizational learning (OL) and entrepreneurial orientation (EO) on the external relational network's (ERN) engagement with and firm performance of minority ethnic businesses (MEBs). Multivariate regression analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to examine the individual and combined relationships of the variables. The study population comprised of African American, Asian, Latino, and Native-American business owners located in the Midwest region of the United States. The results indicated that OL and EO incentivize MEBs to engage with ERNs to extract knowledge-based resources to gain superior performance.