The Influence of Entrepreneurial Orientation, Opportunity Recognition, and Strategic Flexibility on Business Performance: A Study on Ironmongeries in Medan

Pengaruh Orientasi Kewirausahaan, Pengenalan Peluang, dan Fleksibilitas Strategis Terhadap Kinerja Bisnis: Studi Pada Usaha Perangkat Keras di Medan

Authors

  • Joshua Tiody Student, Faculty of Economics & Business, University of Pelita Harapan
  • Eddy Lecturer, Faculty of Economics & Business, University of Pelita Harapan

Keywords:

Entrepreneurial Orientation, Opportunity Recognition, Strategic Flexibility, Business Performance

Abstract

As market competition intensifies, ironmongery businesses must adapt, innovate, and respond quickly to opportunities to improve performance. This research aims to analyze the influence of entrepreneurial orientation, opportunity recognition, and strategic flexibility on business performance at ironmongeries in Medan.

The theoretical framework of this study was developed to explain the relationships among the four research variables. The literature review provides theoretical and empirical support regarding the influence between these variables. Based on these explanations, four research hypotheses were formulated to examine the direct relationships among the variables.

The research employed a quantitative approach using a questionnaire distributed to owners of selected ironmongeries in Medan. This study used IBM SPSS V.26 and Microsoft Excel for data processing and analysis, involving 50 respondents. The sampling technique applied was convenience sampling.

The regression coefficients is Y = -1.008 + 0.356 (X1) + 0.334 (X2) + 0.374 (X3) + e. Based on the hypothesis testing results, Entrepreneurial Orientation, Opportunity Recognition, and Strategic Flexibility have partial and simultaneous influence on Business Performance at ironmongeries in Medan.

Based on the results, it is recommended that ironmongery owners in Medan actively monitor market trends and customer needs, evaluate competitors’ strategies, expand product variations, and respond more quickly to changing market demands to improve business performance.

References

Alonso-Dos-Santos, M., Ferreira, J. J., & Raposo, M. (2023). Opportunity recognition, innovation, and strategic behavior: Linking entrepreneurial cognition to performance. Technovation, 122, 102746. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2022.102746

Ameer, R., & Khan, R. (2022). Strategic Flexibility and Firm Performance: The Moderating Role of Environmental Dynamism. Journal of Strategy and Management. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSMA-03-2021-0065

Anwar, H., & Shah, S. A. (2021). Environmental scanning and opportunity recognition in SMEs: Proactive strategies for competitive advantage. Journal of Small Business Management, 59(4), 653–674. https://doi.org/10.1080/00472778.2020.1825123

Anwar, M., Clauss, T., & Issah, W. B. (2022). Entrepreneurial orientation and new venture performance in emerging markets: the mediating role of opportunity recognition. Review of Managerial Science, 16(3), 769–796. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11846-021-00457-w

Bagheri, A. (2021). The impact of entrepreneurial leadership on innovation work behavior and opportunity recognition in SMEs. European Journal of Innovation Management, 24(3), 762–781. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-10-2019-0281

Bianchini, M., & Kwon, I. (2023). SMEs in the Era of Hybrid Retail. https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2023/05/smes-in-the-era-of-hybrid-retail_ea79f5fc/882f30b0-en.pdf?utm_

BPS. (2023). Construction Sector Statistics of North Sumatra. https://www.bps.go.id

BPS. (2024). Medan Municipality Economic Growth Report. https://medankota.bps.go.id

BPS. (2025a). Economic Growth of North Sumatra in the Fourth Quarter of 2024. Badan Pusat Statistik Provinsi Sumatera Utara. https://niaskab.bps.go.id/en/pressrelease/2025/02/05/376/ekonomi-sumatera-utara-triwulan-iv-2024-tumbuh-5-10-persen--y-on-y-.html

BPS. (2025b). Medan Economic Indicators. https://medankota.bps.go.id

Brozovic, D. (2023). Strategic flexibility in SMEs: Adapting to environmental turbulence. Journal of Small Business Management, 61(1), 112–130. https://doi.org/10.1080/00472778.2022.2104123

Clauss, T., Abebe, M., Tangpong, C., & Hock, M. (2021). Strategic Agility, Business Model Innovation, and Firm Performance: An Empirical Investigation. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, 68(3), 767–784. https://doi.org/10.1109/TEM.2019.2910381

George, G., Marino, L., & Obadia, C. (2021). Opportunity recognition as a learned capability: Insights from entrepreneurial cognition. Journal of Business Venturing, 36(2), 106045. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2020.106045

Guo, H., Xu, E., & Tang, J. (2021). Strategic Flexibility, Entrepreneurial Orientation and Firm Performance. Journal of Business Research, 118, 150–161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.06.042

Hair, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2022). A Primer on Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.

Herhausen, D., Morgan, R. E., Brozovic, D., & Volberda, H. W. (2021). Re-examining Strategic Flexibility: A Meta-Analysis of its Antecedents, Consequences and Contingencies. British Journal of Management, 32(2), 435–455. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8551.12413

IMARC. (2024, November 19). Global Hand Tools Market to Reach USD 37.5 Billion by 2033. IMARC. https://www.imarcgroup.com/global-hand-tools-market

IMARC. (2025). Architectural Hardware Market Size To Worth USD 27.3 Billion In 2033 Grow CAGR By 4.06%. https://menafn.com/1109975278/Architectural-Hardware-Market-Size-To-Worth-USD-273-Billion-In-2033-Grow-CAGR-By-406?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Miroshnychenko, I., Kraus, S., & Clauss, T. (2021). Dynamic capabilities and strategic flexibility: Implications for SMEs. Journal of Business Research, 129, 895–906. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.01.041

Mohungo, P., Muriithi, S., & Memba, F. (2022). Entrepreneurial orientation and performance of small and medium enterprises: The mediating role of firm capabilities. International Journal of Entrepreneurship, 26(3), 1–14. https://www.abacademies.org/articles/entrepreneurial-orientation-and-performance-of-small-and-medium-enterprises-the-mediating-role-of-firm-capabilities-15274.html

Nadkarni, S., & Herrmann, P. (2022). Strategic flexibility, dynamic capabilities, and organizational performance: A contingency perspective. Strategic Management Journal, 43(6), 1043–1065. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.3405

Neneh, B. N. (2022). Entrepreneurial alertness and opportunity recognition: Evidence from small businesses in emerging markets. Management Research Review, 45(6), 1234–1252. https://doi.org/10.1108/MRR-12-2021-1021

Patel, R. (2025). Construction Market Report by Size, Share and Growth 2024-2034. https://www.emergenresearch.com/industry-report/construction-market

PoiData. (2026). List of Building materials stores in Indonesia in 2026. https://www.poidata.io/report/building-materials-store/indonesia

Rahmi, P. P., Suryana, Furqon, C., Sultan, M. A., Aryanti, A. N., & Yusriani, S. (2025). The Role of Opportunity Recognition as a Learning Outcome in Mediating the Relationship between Entrepreneurial Orientation and MSME Performance. IJORER : International Journal of Recent Educational Research, 6(5), 1522–1542. https://doi.org/10.46245/ijorer.v6i5.1005

Rentech Digital. (2025). List Of Hardware stores in Indonesia. https://rentechdigital.com/smartscraper/business-report-details/list-of-hardware-stores-in-indonesia?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Romero-Castro, N., Miramontes-Viña, V., & López-Cabarcos, M. Á. (2022). Understanding the Antecedents of Entrepreneurship and Renewable Energies to Promote the Development of Community Renewable Energy in Rural Areas. Sustainability, 14(3), 1234. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031234

Saleh, A. M., & Athari, S. A. (2023). Examining the Impact of Entrepreneurial Orientation on New Venture Performance in the Emerging Economy of Lebanon: A Moderated Mediation Analysis. Sustainability, 15(15), 11982. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151511982

Sanchez, R. (2021). Strategic flexibility and firm performance: How adaptive capabilities drive competitive advantage. Journal of Business Research, 134, 345–358. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.04.007

Sarwoko, E., & Nurfarida, I. N. (2023). Entrepreneurial competencies and SME performance: The mediating role of opportunity recognition. Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEEE-05-2022-0163

Sen, S., Savitskie, K., Mahto, R. V., Kumar, S., & Khanin, D. (2023). Strategic flexibility in small firms. Journal of Strategic Marketing, 31(5), 1053–1070. https://doi.org/10.1080/0965254X.2022.2036223

StartupBiz. (2022). Starting Hardware Store Business Plan (PDF) - StartupBiz Global. https://startupbizglobal.com/starting-hardware-store-business-plan-pdf/

Valence, R., & Magada, Ma. F. (2025). Supply Chain Activities and Challenges of Construction Hardware Enterprises. Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 3(7). https://doi.org/10.69569/jip.2025.295

Wales, W. J., Gupta, V. K., & Mousa, F.-T. (2021a). Empirical Research on Entrepreneurial Orientation: An Assessment and Suggestions for Future Research. International Small Business Journal, 39(3), 199–226. https://doi.org/10.1177/0266242620983646

Wales, W. J., Kraus, S., Filser, M., Stöckmann, C., & Covin, J. G. (2021b). The status quo of research on entrepreneurial orientation: Conversational landmarks and theoretical scaffolding. Journal of Business Research, 128, 564–577. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.10.046

Wang, F., & Xue, S. (2024). Structural Model and Characteristics of Entrepreneurial Opportunity Recognition Abilities. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11, 1166. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03699-7

WNS. (2024). 10 Benefits of Digital Transformation in Retail. https://www.wns.com/perspectives/blogs/the-top-10-benefits-of-digital-transformation-in-retail-industry?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Zhou, Y., Feng, T., & Jiang, W. (2023). Strategic Flexibility and Sustainable Firm Performance in SMEs. Management Decision. https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-05-2022-0577

Published

2026-11-05