Entrepreneurial orientation and new venture performance: the moderating role of network types

This study explores the link between entrepreneurial orientation, network types and international performance of new ventures. Building on international entrepreneurship theory, we specifically investigate how the type of network affects the entrepreneurial orientation and performance relationship among new ventures from Lithuania, a transition economy in Central and Eastern Europe. Data collected from 83 international new ventures revealed a positive linkage between entrepreneurial orientation and international performance outcomes. The direct relation between three network types and international performance was not supported, offering rich potential for researchers looking to advance our understanding of the importance that networks may have in economies, particularly in transition economy contexts. Moreover, the findings revealed that high entrepreneurial orientation has a significantly higher international performance in the presence of high formal networks. The implications and directions for future research are discussed.