Understanding the triangular theory of love in entrepreneurial ventures! Linking love dimensions to business performance through employee loyalty

Purpose This study examines the mediating effect of employee loyalty on the relationship between love dimensions as adapted from the triangular theory of love and business performance of entrepreneurial ventures. Design/methodology/approach The study employed structural equation modelling in data analysis. However, before conducting confirmatory factor analysis and path analysis, exploratory factor analysis was conducted because most of the items used were new to human resource management (employee–organization relationship), especially among entrepreneurial ventures. Additionally, a Hayes’ PROCESS mediation test was conducted to analyze the mediation effect of employee loyalty. Findings The findings suggest that love dimensions such as employee intimacy, employee passion and employee commitment have positive and significant relationships with employee loyalty. It also appears that employee loyalty plays a significant mediation role in the relationship between love dimensions and business performance of entrepreneurial ventures. Practical implications The study’s findings have several implications. However, all of them are developed to include initiatives related to improving business performance through increasing employee intimacy, employee passion, employee commitment and employee loyalty. Originality/value The application of the triangular theory of love adds to human resource management and entrepreneurship literature. Very few studies have focused on the love relationship between employees and their organizations especially among entrepreneurial ventures in developing countries. Since in the current settings of business practices employees are considered as important internal customers, extending the triangular theory of love to employee and organizational relationships is critical, because creating an employee–job relationship is considered a short-term emotional feeling. Therefore, there is a need to look into a long-lasting love relationship between employees and their organizations. This is important for increasing employee intent to stay and loyalty within the entrepreneurial ventures.