Intensity of entrepreneurial orientation in micro and small enterprises

The entrepreneurial orientation in the organizational environment emerges as one of the most relevant topics in the fields of entrepreneurship and management. This study aimed to verify the intensity of the entrepreneurial orientation of small and medium-sized companies linked to a Business Association of the South of Brazil. A quantitative approach was chosen, with data collected using self-completion questionnaires based on Miller's model (1983). The instrument was aimed at managers of micro and small companies (MSEs) linked to a business association in the South of Brazil, via e-mail with the help of the Google Docs tool. The population consisted of 296 MSEs, resulting in a sample of 198 respondents. The indicators were validated through Exploratory Factor Analysis and descriptive statistics were used to verify the intensity of the dimensions. The results showed that, when the dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation are analyzed and ordered from higher to lower intensity, there is proactivity, innovativeness and risk-taking. This study points out as one of the main theoretical contributions to encourage new researchers to investigate more about entrepreneurial orientation, and thus contribute to the development of organizations, helping managers in the decision-making process. In the researched sample, it was found that managers have a profile directed towards entrepreneurial orientation and, thus, from this, they will be able to develop skills and competences that provide better results in the company's performance, thus considering the managerial contributions.