New ventures have stronger learning motivation but higher failure rates. In the era of the digital economy, it is necessary to clarify whether and how learning orientation gives scientific guidance for new ventures. We developed a chain multiple intermediary model following the paradigm of "orientation → capability → performance," which was empirically analyzed using data from 214 Chinese new ventures. The results show that learning orientation not only has a direct positive impact on new venture performance (NVP) but also has an indirect positive effect through the chain-mediating effect of absorptive capacity and innovation capacity. The study advances theoretical understanding of the effect and path of learning orientation on NVP, fosters in-depth research on organizational learning and dynamic capability, and provides targeted organizational learning solutions for new ventures in emerging economies.
Keywords: absorptive capacity; chain-mediating effect; innovative capability; learning orientation; new venture performance.
Copyright © 2022 Yang, Zheng, Xie and Tian.