Cooperative’s Social Capital and Entrepreneurial Orientation: A Conceptual Framework

Abstract

The present article seeks to advance the theoretical knowledge on the social origin of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) by reviewing and synthesizing available research into a conceptual framework that explains the antecedent of EO especially in the less explored area such as social capital. The framework presents the reconceptualization of EO into entrepreneurial behavior (adjoining innovativeness and proactiveness) and managerial attitude towards risk (risk-taking). In addition, the framework identified three dimensions of social capital: structural, relational and cognitive that influence the development of the cooperative ability to exploit and discover entrepreneurial opportunities as well as coping with the risk they may face. Based on the arguments in this article, two major propositions were developed to refine our understanding of the social origin of EO. Finally, theoretical and practical implication were discussed