Examining intellectual capital, organizational learning, entrepreneurial orientation towards SMEs' innovative performance in Jordan

Innovative performance as a key asset is fundamental to building the competitive advantage of SMEs. This study examines empirically the direct relationship between intellectual capital, organizational learning and innovative performance amongst SMEs in Jordan. It also examines the moderating effect of entrepreneurial orientation on the relationship between intellectual capital, organizational learning and innovative performance. A total of 600 questionnaires were personally distributed to managers / owners of SMEs from three cities in Jordan (Amman, Irbid and Zarqa). Out of 600 questionnaires distributed, only 325 questionnaires were returned and usable for further analysis, representing a response rate of 54.1%. PLS SEM technique had been applied to analyses the data. The findings showed that intellectual capital (human capital and customer capital dimensions) were found positively and significantly related to innovative performance. The findings also revealed that organizational learning (information
acquisition, information distribution and organizational memory) were found positively and significantly related to innovative performance. In addition, the results revealed that supports the effect of entrepreneurial orientation that moderate in relationship between intellectual capital (customer capital, but not human capital and structural capital) and innovative performance, meanwhile entrepreneurial orientation that not supported as moderator in relationship between organizational learning dimensions and innovative performance. This study contributes to enriching the body of knowledge on literature of intellectual capital, organizational learning and innovative performance within SMEs context. Based on the theoretical gaps, this study contribute by extending the body of knowledge by adding entrepreneurial orientation as moderator which other studies neglected to consider. The present study also provides SMEs managers with an empirical evidence that possessing strong intellectual capital, organizational learning and entrepreneurial orientation in its dimensions seem to help SMEs reinforce their ability to generate innovative performance. Potential limitations and directions for future research are also discussed.