Abstract
This study builds on organizational learning theory to develop and test the binary effects of exploratory and exploitative learning on opportunity identification, using data from 285 founders of new ventures in China. We find that the positive effects of the two learning styles on opportunity identification are moderated by entrepreneurial commitment and environmental munificence. Given the differences between exploratory learning and exploitative learning, we verify the different moderating effects of environmental munificence and entrepreneurial commitment on the relationship between the two learning styles and opportunity identification. Interestingly, entrepreneurial commitment and environmental munificence both have higher moderating effects on the link between exploitative learning and opportunity identification. These findings provide significant insight from theoretical perspective, and practical implications for the new ventures that aim to pursue the valuable opportunities.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the Special Project of Basic Scientific Research Operating Expenses of Jilin University (2020SZQH06) and the Project Commissioned by Jilin University (2020XGZX22) for supporting this research.
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This research was supported by the Special Project of Basic Scientific Research Operating Expenses of Jilin University (2020SZQH06) and the Project Commissioned by Jilin University (2020XGZX22).
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Wang, C., Zhang, Xe. Binary effects of exploratory and exploitative learning on opportunity identification: The different moderations of environmental munificence and entrepreneurial commitment. Asian Bus Manage 21, 497–524 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41291-020-00136-w
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41291-020-00136-w