Positive deviance, ecologies of innovation and entrepreneurial networking
| Published date | 11 November 2019 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/WJEMSD-12-2018-0110 |
| Pages | 308-324 |
| Date | 11 November 2019 |
| Author | Samuel Ssekajja Mayanja,Joseph Mapeera Ntayi,John C. Munene,James R.K. Kagaari,Waswa Balunywa,Laura Orobia |
| Subject Matter | Strategy |
Positive deviance, ecologies
of innovation and
entrepreneurial networking
Samuel Ssekajja Mayanja
Department of Business and Management,
Cavendish University Uganda, Kampala, Uganda
Joseph Mapeera Ntayi
Department of Procurement and Supply chain,
Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
John C. Munene
Department of Human Resource Management,
Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
James R.K. Kagaari
Kyambogo University, Kampala, Uganda
Waswa Balunywa
Department of Entrepreneurship, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda, and
Laura Orobia
Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating role of ecologies of innovation in the
relationship between positive deviance (PD) and entrepreneurial networking among small and medium
enterprises (SMEs) in Uganda.
Design/methodology/approach –A cross-sectional survey design using quantitative approach was
employed in this study. Data were collected with the help of self-administrated questionnaires from 228
SMEs. Systematic sampling technique was used. Multiple regression data were analysed with the help of
SPSS software.
Findings –The results indicated that ecologies of innovation partially mediate the relationship between
PD and entrepreneurial networking. Besides, PD and entrepreneurial networking are significantly related.
Research limitations/implications –The data were cross-sectional in nature, thus limiting monitoring
changes in resources accessed from social networks by entrepreneurs over time.
Practical implications –Managers of SMEs and policy makers should pay more attention to the views of
employees with divergent views, ecologies of innovation in creating a conducive environment for creativity
and innovation among SMEs.
Originality/value –The study of PD, ecologies of innovation and entrepreneurial networking using
complexity theory among SMEs in Uganda is a contribution to literature.
Keywords Positive deviance, Ecologies of innovation, Entrepreneurial networking, Complexity, SMEs
Paper type Research paper
1. Introduction
Successful entrepreneurs recognise the importance of entrepreneurial networking in the
process of starting and sustaining businesses (Engel et al., 2017; Krejcie and Morgan, 1970).
Entrepreneurial networking provides useful information, social support and tangible
resources to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to achieve their goals, business growth
and competitiveness. Entrepreneurial networking has been criticised for focussing mainly
World Journal of
Entrepreneurship, Management
and Sustainable Development
Vol. 15 No. 4, 2019
pp. 308-324
© Emerald PublishingLimited
2042-5961
DOI 10.1108/WJEMSD-12-2018-0110
Received 30 December 2018
Revised 27 April 2019
Accepted 29 May 2019
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/2042-5961.htm
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors and this research received no funding.
308
WJEMSD
15,4
on the static aspects of networks, content, relations, their governance and structures
(Galkina, 2013; Pollack et al., 2015). This focus limits the understanding of entrepreneurial
networking because it is seen as an objectively given reality that comes into being and
changes without the participation of entrepreneurs (Lux et al., 2016; Sarasvathy and
Venkataraman, 2011).
Although SMEs need resources from networks to thrive, entrepreneurial networks are
becoming more complex to access resources from them due to a dynamic environment. At
the same time, entrepreneurial networks enable rapid adaptation to a relentlessly changing
environment when SMEs have positive deviant employees who deviate from the norms, and
make experiments, which is the life blood of an ecology of innovation (Albanna and Heeks,
2019). Positive deviance (PD) refers to intentional behaviours that significantly depart from
the norms of the referent group (organisation) in honourable ways that lead to positive
outcomes (Mertens et al., 2016). Previous studies have focussed on destructive deviant
behaviours in organisations (Tziner et al., 2006). There are studies that have explored the
relationship between PD and entrepreneurial networking (Yildiz and Radtke, 2015). A closer
scrutiny of these studies indicates that there is sparse literature examining the mediating
role of ecologies of innovation in the relationship between PD and entrepreneurial
networking. Ecologies of innovation advance a conducive environment, but also facilitate a
self-organising process favourable for creativity and innovativeness among SMEs
(Goldstein et al., 2010; Lindhult and Hazy, 2016).
Theoretically, previous studies in entrepreneurship literature tended to examine
entrepreneurial networking primarily focussing on cultural differences among entrepreneurs
(Klyver and Foley, 2012). Scholars like Chia and Liang (2016) and Stam (2013) focussed on
social capital of entrepreneurs in accessing resources from entrepreneurial networks.
Engel et al. (2017) observed that uncertainty motivates an entrepreneur to join entrepreneurial
networks to access resources. Research by Frese et al. (2014) has shown that effectuation action
is a good predictor of entrepreneurial networking. A study conducted by Khan and Abasyn
(2017) found that entrepreneurial strategy influences entrepreneurial networking.
In entrepreneurship studies, there is insufficient evidence on the significance of PD and
ecologies of innovation in enabling SMEs to access tangible and intangible resources from
entrepreneurial networks (Mayanja et al., 2019). Today, we see some entrepreneurs using
positive deviant employees and ecologies of innovation to access resources from
entrepreneurial networks in a complex environment. In this study, we posit that ecologies of
innovation mediate the relationship between PD and entrepreneurial networking among
SMEs in Uganda.
2. Literature review
2.1 Theoretical foundation
Complexity systems leadership theory (CSLT) explains the mediating role of ecologies of
innovation in the relationship between PD and entrepreneurial networking in the complex
environment (Goldstein et al., 2010; Hazy, 2012; Lindhult and Hazy, 2016; McMillan, 2008).
Hazy (2012) posits that higher levels of innovation could only be achieved through the
emergent ecologies of innovation. Goldstein et al. (2010) argue that creating such ecologies of
innovation could be made possible by interaction resonance or symbiotic behaviour among
the SME employees with divergent views. These further contend that an unfolding series of
event alertness tend to stimulate cohesiveness, ties, interactions and networking style
among SME owners/managers (Haynie et al., 2009; Shane, 2003). The theory explains PD,
ecologies of innovation and entrepreneurial networking among SMEs in developing
economies. SMEs identify and exploit opportunities because they do have positive deviants
who do things in an unusual way. CSLT as an individual theory can predict mixed multiple
possible outcomes from an entrepreneurial network.
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Ecologies of
innovation
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