Positive deviance as a mediator in the relationship between high performance indicators and entrepreneurial orientation

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of the article is to investigate positive deviance as a mediator in the effect of high performance indicators on organisational entrepreneurship. Research Design & Methods: The research was carried out on a representative and random sample of 406 enterprises using multi-source cross-sectional design. The main analytical technique is structural equations modelling. Findings: The impact of high performance indicators on positive deviance is somehow ambiguous. Some of the factors influence positive deviance in a positive way (continu-ous improvement, openness and action orientation, management quality) and some in a negative way (workforce quality, long-term orientation). Positive deviance has a positive effect on all three dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation. However, rather unexpectedly, the effect is the weakest for innovativeness. The study revealed general indirect effect of high performance factors on dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation with the mediation of positive deviance. Implications & Recommendations: The study has implications for research and practice. It partly explains the effects of high performance indicators for organisational entrepreneurship. Companies that are in pursuit of higher organisational entrepreneurship can use it as a good way of supporting it. Contribution & Value Added: The study contributes to research on high performance and entrepreneurship mainly by drawing attention to positive deviance as a mediator in the effect of high performance factors on organisational entrepreneurship.