Evaluating the Role of Entrepreneurial Mindset in Enhancing Export Performance of Startup Ecosystems with Emphasis on Innovative Capabilities
Keywords:
Entrepreneurial Mindset, Export Performance, Dynamic Capabilities, Innovation, Startup EcosystemAbstract
This study aims to examine the impact of entrepreneurial mindset on the export performance of IT startups, emphasizing the mediating role of innovative capabilities and environmental factors. This research is applied in purpose and descriptive–survey in methodology. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire consisting of 47 items along with interviews. The statistical population included IT startups located in science and technology parks, with a sample of 38 founders and managers. Content validity was confirmed by expert judgment, and reliability was established using Cronbach’s alpha coefficients above 0.7. Data analysis was conducted using structural equation modeling based on the partial least squares (PLS) approach, selected due to the small sample size and non-normal data distribution. The results indicate that entrepreneurial mindset and its dimensions—innovation, proactiveness, and risk-taking—have a significant positive effect on export performance. Dynamic capabilities play a mediating role and are significantly influenced by both exploratory and exploitative innovation. Furthermore, social norms and performance-based culture, shaped by local community support and external partnerships, significantly enhance both export performance and dynamic capabilities. All hypotheses were supported with t-values exceeding 1.96, and the model demonstrated strong goodness of fit (GOF = 0.506). The findings suggest that strengthening entrepreneurial mindset, enhancing innovative capabilities, and fostering supportive socio-cultural environments are critical drivers of export performance in startup ecosystems, providing a strategic framework for policymakers and innovation managers.
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