Objective: This study analyzes the main dimensions of Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) – propensity inseridofor innovation, risk propensity, and proactivity – that contributed to the growth of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) during the crisis caused by Covid-19.
Method: A quantitative analysis was carried out using the t test paired with 102 MSMEs managers to understand which main aspects of EO contributed to the performance of their companies.
Results: The results show that the presence of a proactive element in MSMEs influences the increase in their revenues in a crisis period. Nevertheless, the significance of characteristics prone to innovation and risks in MSMEs for their growth in a period of crisis is not confirmed.
Limitations: the sample used in this research could be larger and the concept of EO is based only on its three main dimensions. As there is no consensus in the literature on the dimensionality of the EO construct, other applications using different concepts are suggested.
Theoretical and practical implications: The research shows how the EO drives MSMEs in a crisis context, notably through its proactivity dimension. In a practical way, the paper reveals that EO in MSMEs is strongly present in the leader’s figure, as well as it is related to its personality, playing an important role to boost the business in a period of crisis.
Originality: This study allows to know which aspects of EO are more decisive in the growth of MSMEs in periods of widespread recession. Thus, entrepreneurs will be able to assess how much they consider EO dominant perspectives for the growth of their businesses. It also contributes both to the discussion on the recovery of the economy and the literature on EO, which does not yet show how this construct operates in the context of crisis.
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