Entrepreneurial bricolage and scaling of SMEs in the tourism sector: Fear of failure as a moderator

Abstract

Existing research has found that entrepreneurial bricolage is positively related to growth performance, new venture growth and improved growth capability. This quantitative descripto-exploratory study seeks to establish if entrepreneurial fear of failure (EFF) moderates the relationship between entrepreneurial bricolage (EB) and enterprise scaling (ES) and core firm capabilities (CFC) and enterprise scaling (ES). The study used a sample of 118 SME owners who own accommodation establishments in SA. The study found that there are significant correlations between EB and ES, and CFC and ES, however, EFF does not moderate those relationships. This study offers value in business as its findings can enrich small and medium business owners or managers with the knowledge of how they can leverage the entrepreneurial bricolage concept as a strategy and how and which firm capabilities they can utilise to aid in scaling their businesses.