Network reliance and entrepreneurial performance, the role of external networking behaviour and entrepreneurial orientation: the case of rural farmer-entrepreneurs

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to specifically look at the relationship between reliable networkreliance and entrepreneurial performance.Design/methodology/approach – To help achieve the study objective, 450 rural farmer-entrepreneursfrom Jiangsu, Anhui, Guangxi and Zhejiang Provinces were randomly selected. The study concentratedmainly on entrepreneurs who have engaged in entrepreneurial activities the past five or more years.Findings – This study’s findings show that network reliance has direct and indirect effects onentrepreneurial performance through external networking behaviour. The result further shows that externalnetworking behaviour partially mediates the relationship between network reliance and entrepreneurialperformance. On the moderation effect on entrepreneurial orientation (EO), the result reveals that itstrengthens the relationship between external networking behaviour and entrepreneurial performance. Theresult shows that EO has a direct effect on entrepreneurial performance. The paper introduces behaviouralcomponent of network to entrepreneurial performance. The study concludes that external networkingbehaviour of entrepreneurs is key in entrepreneurship as it improves relationships among actors and therebytranslating into an improved performance.Originality/value – The paper brings to light the need to reconsider extension education by includingelements of networking to enable rural entrepreneurs derive full benefits of their entrepreneurialventures