The Impact of Autonomy, Firm Age, Networks, and Knowledge Sharing on Entrepreneurial Learning and Performance

The need for autonomy in entrepreneurship is regarded as one of the hallmark traits affecting entrepreneurship venture launch, task performance and persistence. This study evaluates the role autonomy might play in triggering the entrepreneurial learning process. In particular, this study proposes a model identifying direct and indirect paths through which autonomy affects entrepreneurial learning; how entrepreneurial learning is influenced by venture age, knowledge sharing and social network; how entrepreneurial learning, social network and knowledge sharing affect entrepreneurs’ performance; and how venture age, social network and knowledge sharing interact with each other. The results of the study indicate autonomy has a positive correlation with social network, entrepreneurial learning, and knowledge sharing. Further, social network has a positive correlation with entrepreneurial learning, knowledge sharing, and venture performance. In addition, none of the relationships for venture age were found to be significant. Moreover, there were no significant positive correlations between entrepreneurial learning and venture performance; between knowledge sharing and entrepreneurial learning; or knowledge sharing and venture performance. Implications of the model are discussed