Entrepreneurial leadership and entrepreneurial orientation: A framework for entrepreneurially oriented higher education institutions
Background: The role of entrepreneurial leadership (EL) and entrepreneurial orientation (EO) in organizations is becoming critical in this dynamic environment; however, there are still limited studies on the relationship between EL and EO and their relevance in the academic context.
Purpose: This study aims to determine the relationship between EL and EO within the context of Catholic higher education, specifically, the Philippine North Society of the Divine Word (PHN-SVD) schools.
Participants: The participants were 156 faculty members and non-teaching personnel of the three PHN-SVD schools in the second semester of school year 2021–2022.
Research design: Grounded on the positivist philosophy, this study used a descriptive-correlational research design.
Data collection and analysis: Data was gathered using a questionnaire for EL and EO. The EL questionnaire is an 18-item survey and the EO survey covers the five EO dimensions: autonomy, innovativeness, proactiveness, risk-taking, and competitive aggressiveness. The data was treated quantitatively using descriptive and inferential statistics. Weighted means and Pearson r values at a .05 level of significance were used. To substantiate the analysis and discussion, observations and informal interviews were included.
Findings: The extent of EL and of EO of PHN-SVD schools were high. EL and EO had a strong positive and significant relationship. EL was strongly correlated with EO along autonomy, innovativeness, risk-taking, and competitive aggressiveness; along proactiveness, it was moderately correlated. EL was also positively and significantly correlated with each EO dimension. A framework for entrepreneurially oriented higher education institutions, specifically the PHN-SVD schools, was conceptualized as the output of the study. EL directly influences the entrepreneurial behaviors of the organization toward entrepreneurial outcomes.
Conclusions and recommendation: School leaders are challenged to behave and think entrepreneurially while embracing EL and EO in PHN-SVD schools as social institutions for them to survive and serve society through their mission of educational apostolate.
Authors: Maylene R. Pambalan, Leilani I. De Guzman
Keywords: entrepreneurial leadership, entrepreneurial behavior, entrepreneurial outcomes, competitive advantage, sustainability