Entrepreneurial learning and entrepreneurial performance: evidence from Chinese farmer entrepreneurs

ABSTRACTEntrepreneurship is an area where farmers often struggle to perform well. This study aims to explore how entrepreneurial learning can enhance entrepreneurial performance. Specifically, the authors investigate the moderating effects of two key factors entrepreneurial environment munificence and innovation ability on this relationship. The study employs a quantitative survey method to collect data, using a sample of 329 Chinese farmer entrepreneurs. Hierarchical regression analysis is used to evaluate the theoretical model. The results demonstrate that entrepreneurial learning has a positive impact on entrepreneurial performance. Furthermore, it is found that entrepreneurial environment munificence positively moderates the relationship between guidance learning, communication learning and entrepreneurial performance. Jointly, entrepreneurial environment munificence and innovation ability also have a positive moderating effect on the relationship between imitation learning, guidance learning and entrepreneurial performance. These findings reveal that through external environment construction and internal innovation improvement, training can significantly improve farmers' entrepreneurial performance. Additionally, the research provides insights into the relationship between dimensions of entrepreneurial learning and entrepreneurial performance. Overall, from the perspective of social learning theory, this study sheds light on the boundary conditions of farmers' entrepreneurial learning that affect their entrepreneurial performance.KEYWORDS: Chinaentrepreneurial learningentrepreneurial performanceentrepreneurial environment munificencefarmerinnovation ability Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Additional informationFundingThis research was supported by Humanities and Social Sciences Research of the Ministry of Education [22XJC630008]; Major Program of Philosophy and Social Sciences Planning of Sichuan Province [SC22ZDTX02]; Sichuan County Economic Development Research Center [XY2022011]; National Social Science Foundation [22XJY015]; Sichuan Rural Development Research Center [CR1804].Notes on contributorsShiyuan YangShiyuan Yang is an associate professor at the School of Public Administration, Sichuan Agricultural University, China. Her research direction are Human Resource Management, Innovation and entrepreneurship of farmers.Shuting LingShuting Ling is a graduate student at the School of Public Administration, Sichuan Agricultural University, China.Kexin LvKexin Lv is a graduate student at the School of Public Administration, Sichuan Agricultural University, China.Rong GaoRong Gao is a graduate student at the School of Public Administration, Sichuan Agricultural University, China.Jinxiu YangJinxiu Yang is a professor at the School of Economics, Sichuan Agricultural University, China.Longhua YueLonghua Yue is a professor at the School of Public Administration, Sichuan Agricultural University, China.Wei LiWei Li is an associate professor at the School of Public Administration, Sichuan Agricultural University, China.Hao ChengHao Cheng is a lecturer at the School of Public Administration, Sichuan Agricultural University, China.Xiayan DongXiayan Dong is a lecturer at the School of Public Administration, Sichuan Agricultural University, China.Guorong HeGuorong He is a lecturer at the School of Public Administration, Sichuan Agricultural University, China.