Entrepreneurial Orientation and Business Performance of Women-Owned Small and Medium Enterprises in Malaysia: Competitive Advantage as a Mediator
Rosli Mahmood, Norshafizah Hanafi

Abstract
 The aim of this research is to examine the mediating effect of competitive advantage on the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and performance of women-owned SMEs in Malaysia. It proposed a quantitative analysis in which entrepreneurial orientation and sources of competitive advantage are key success factors of SMEs. To answer the research questions, two hypotheses were formulated; (a) There is significant relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and business performance, and (b) competitive advantage mediates the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and performance. Data were collected by means of a mail survey questionnaire completed by women owner/managers randomly chosen from a sampling frame of registered SMEs. The questionnaires developed from prior research were used to measure the entrepreneurial orientation and competitive advantage of the firm while performance measurement was based on subjective evaluation involving self-reported measures. The findings revealed that significant relationships exist between entrepreneurial orientation and performance, while competitive advantage was found to partially mediate the entrepreneurial orientation and performance relationships. These findings may be of help to the women owner/managers of SMEs to be more entrepreneurial oriented and developed competitive edge in order for them to survive the intensely competitive market environment.

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