Managerial networks and strategic orientation in SMEs : Experience from a transition economy

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to igvestigate how strategic orientation influences managerial networks in Indian SMEs and the role competitive intensity as a moderator. Design/methodology/approach – Structured pre-tested questionnaire was employed to gather information from 147 top managers from Indian SMEs. Statically models were used for internal and external validation, hypothesis testing and data analysis. Findings – The study results support the positive significant influence of strategic orientation including market orientation (customer orientation, competitor orientation and inter-functional orientation), technology orientation and entrepreneurship orientation on managerial network (business and political networks) building in Indian SMEs. Originality/value – This study is one of the few studies on the subject line in Indian context, and among the first few studies in the Indian SME sector.