The Mediating Effect of Entrepreneurial Team Behavior and Transformational Leadership in the Relationship between Corporate Entrepreneurship and Firm Performance
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe introduction is characterized by no references, this is not accepted. Moreover, it needs to be more elaborate and less repetitive. The short introduction could be extended by the importance of the respective field and the potential of a larger systems perspective as proposed by this paper.
Potentially this means taking some of the basic facts from Chapter 2 and moving to the introduction. Hence, chapter 2 can better present the current state of the art and skip the elementariness.
Consider improving the presentation of the three “bullets” of entrepreneurial team behaviour in 2.2. (either a bullet list or a small table even)
There is definitely an uneven balance between the presented theories, make an effort to complement the “entrepreneurial team behavior” section to level this. If the theoretical underpinnings are few, this need also to be described explicitly.
The transformational leadership is quite one-dimensional in its presentation only lifting the positive sides. Try to be more nuanced. For instance, “They shape the foundation for the future in the most suitable way for tomorrow. They guide their followers for common interests and ensure they achieve their goals” – instead to make it more neutral here don’t use “they”. This could be improved at multiple places. Since the text more or less is a long list of characteristics, consider making a table of them. (all the positive attributes given make me wonder where these people are in our organisations). I don’t understand the analogy to school principals used at places and the relevance of the paper.
The studied entities of the paper are all positively influencing each other. Are any balancing mechanisms identified to create a more complete imaginary of the balance between them?
The paper states it provides an increased understanding of companies’ internal dynamics. It is questionable how the structural equation modeling (SEM) method provides with this. There need to be better visualisations to support the pedagogical explanation of how these dynamics show to be.
I lack a discussion about the SEM method and its capacity to create basis for understanding a studied problem.
I find the study suffering from being superficial. Perhaps supporting the article with supplementary material can aid in this. Consider how the presentation can be enhanced to convey the findings you feel you have but need to be shown to a larger degree in the paper and how you can improve the current rough argumentation and conclusions.
This requires improvements in all sections, and an increased level of critical reflection currently lacking.
Author Response
Based on your feedback, We've identified areas for improvement and made adjustments to enhance the paper. Here are the main points addressed:
- Introduction:
- Expanded to include the importance of the field and potential of a larger systems perspective.
- Integrated basic facts from Chapter 2 to create a more robust and detailed introduction.
- Eliminated repetitive statements and provided references.
- Chapter 2 (Conceptual Framework):
- Reorganized to present the current state of the art, skipping elementary information.
- Improved the presentation of the three "bullets" of entrepreneurial team behavior with a table format.
- Balanced the presentation of theories by complementing the "entrepreneurial team behavior" section.
- Transformational Leadership:
- Provided a more nuanced view, addressing both positive and negative aspects.
- Replaced “they” with more neutral language to maintain objectivity.
- Converted the long list of characteristics into a table for clarity.
- Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) Method:
- Added a discussion about the SEM method and its capacity for understanding the studied problem.
- Enhanced visualizations to support explanations of internal dynamics.
- Overall Paper:
- Increased the level of critical reflection.
- Included supplementary material to support the article and enhance presentation.
- Improved argumentation and conclusions with more detailed insights
- Regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses.
- Analyzes are explained under the heading 4. Analysis and results.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsDear authors,
This is a very worthwhile topic and empirical data drawn from such a significant size sample is very important. However, your paper is not at all ready for publication. I have recommended to the Editor that you be advised to carry out a Major Revision.
My suggestions as to what needs to be done are set out, section by section.
Abstract:
Some sentences repeat what is said earlier.
You must specify the research methods.
You must indicate the key findings.
You must indicate the benefit/significance of those findings.
Introduction:
Any content of the Introduction must be built using the literature. You have used none.
By the end of a first paragraph the possible benefit of your research being carried out must be nominated.
Whilst you talk of a gap you have not explained what that gap is. Do so and make an argument as to how benefit will be achieved.
You mention a research question but that is very general. That is OK if it is accompanied by the hypotheses that are to be tested. Do so.
Explain the research methods, going to the detail of the population and sample etc.
You must describe your findings and then state the importance of those findings.
You must provide a final paragraph which sets out the content of subsequent sections.
Conceptual Framework:
Requires an initial paragraph which explains the purposes of the component sub-sections. Structure of this overall section is quite suitable.
Overall the literature appears to be incomplete. For each of your four variables there are more recent academic articles. Obtain that and rewrite including that.
In the sub-sections the knowledge from the literature, and thus your argument, has not been presented in a logical manner. I suggest when you explain what the literature says and develop any gap you are seeking to highlight, that you start with a point in time that establishes the overall concept and then work through to the latest scholarship (and the gap if appropriate). Your content is also confused with related concepts. I suggest that you remove such content unless it is assisting in understanding the detail of one of your four variables.
Sub-section 2.2 Entrepreneurial Team Behavior
Inadequate. You must use multiple academic sources to firstly explain what this is. Then explain why it is sufficiently important to bother measuring its impact. Then you must justify the four 'characteristics' you identify for measuring by way of your survey instrument. Then in the Methods section you must explain how evidence as to those characteristics was gathered.
Sub-section 2.3 Transformational Leadership
Lns 138 to 152 cites literature regarding leadership in schools. You must establish the relevance.
You have not established why transformational leadership is worthy of research. Why is it a factor to be explored.
You have not specified the factors/topics relative to Transformational Leadership for which you will gather evidence by way of the survey. Must do.
Sub-section 2.4 Firm performance
Much of your content is only marginally relevant. You have surveyed informants about 'firms' (your title') there are some quite specific measurements of performance common to all. So why did you not use those? Indeed, what did you use? That must be specified and justified here.
Data and Methodology
You must provide the basic, foundational information required of all reports of quantitative or qualitative research methods.
Why did you choose the methods applied.
What specidically wre the methods? So: population and sample, the metod, the actual instrument (attach as an appendix and describe in a few sentences), how was that instrument applied, number of people invited and number who replied, number of valid completed instruments.
These are basics required of students.
Discussion section and Conclusion section.
I have not been able to provide cmment on these because your report of the literature and your methods is incomple in the many ways I have set out.
kind reagrds
Reviewer
Author Response
We appreciate your detailed feedback and suggestions for our manuscript titled "The Mediating Effect of Entrepreneurial Team Behavior and Transformational Leadership in the Relationship between Corporate Entrepreneurship and Firm Performance." We have undertaken a thorough revision of the paper to address the issues raised. Below, we outline the specific changes made in response to your comments, section by section.
Data and Methodology
Basic information on quantitative research methods is provided.
The sample, method and procedure were defined. Information about the research tool is given.
Descriptive statistics regarding demographics were described.
Abstract
Redundancy Removal: We have eliminated repetitive sentences.
Research Methods: Specified the research methods used, including the quantitative approach and data collection process.
Key Findings: Indicated the key findings of the study.
Significance: Highlighted the benefits and significance of the findings.
Revised Abstract: This study explores the relationship between corporate entrepreneurship and firm performance, focusing on the mediating roles of entrepreneurial team behavior and transformational leadership. A quantitative study was developed using a descriptive design. Data were collected from 400 white-collar employees working in companies within an organized industrial zone in Turkey. The hypotheses were tested using regression analysis with SPSS. Findings indicate significant relationships between corporate entrepreneurship and firm performance, mediated by entrepreneurial team behavior and transformational leadership. This study provides insights into how corporate entrepreneurship influences firm performance, offering practical implications for managers to enhance organizational performance through targeted interventions in entrepreneurial team dynamics and leadership development.
Introduction
Literature-Based Content: Integrated relevant literature to build the content.
Benefit of Research: Clarified the potential benefits of the research.
Gap Explanation: Explained the identified gap in the literature and its significance.
Research Question and Hypotheses: Provided a more specific research question and listed the hypotheses to be tested.
Research Methods: Briefly explained the research methods, including the population and sample.
Findings and Importance: Summarized the findings and their importance.
Outline of Subsequent Sections: Added a final paragraph outlining the content of subsequent sections.
Revised Introduction: Corporate entrepreneurship is a burgeoning concept aimed at helping companies thrive amidst complex and competitive conditions, thereby enhancing organizational performance. Entrepreneurs are characterized by their ability to take initiative, act decisively, shoulder responsibility, manage business challenges, and exhibit patience in the face of difficulties. Similarly, transformational leaders interpret probabilities accurately and devise pragmatic solutions when confronted with problems.
Existing literature highlights the importance of corporate entrepreneurship and its impact on firm performance. However, there remains a gap in understanding the mediating roles of entrepreneurial team behavior and transformational leadership. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating how entrepreneurial team behavior and transformational leadership mediate the relationship between corporate entrepreneurship and firm performance.
The research question guiding this study is: How do entrepreneurial team behavior and transformational leadership mediate the relationship between corporate entrepreneurship and firm performance? The hypotheses tested include:
H1: Corporate entrepreneurship significantly and positively affects firm performance.
H2: Entrepreneurial team behavior significantly and positively affects firm performance.
H3: Transformational leadership significantly and positively affects firm performance.
This study employs a quantitative research design, collecting data from 400 white-collar employees in Turkey. The findings provide insights into enhancing organizational performance through entrepreneurial behavior and leadership development. The subsequent sections cover the conceptual framework, methodology, analysis, and results, followed by discussion and conclusions.
Conceptual Framework
Purpose Explanation: Added an initial paragraph explaining the purposes of the component sub-sections.
Updated Literature: Included more recent academic articles for each variable.
Logical Presentation: Reorganized the literature review to present knowledge in a logical manner, starting from foundational concepts to the latest research.
Focused Content: Removed content that did not directly assist in understanding the four variables.
Revised Conceptual Framework: This section aims to establish the theoretical foundation for the study by exploring the key variables: corporate entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial team behavior, transformational leadership, and firm performance. Each sub-section provides a comprehensive review of the literature, identifying gaps and justifying the need for further research.
Entrepreneurial Team Behavior
Multiple Sources: Used multiple academic sources to explain the concept.
Importance: Explained why entrepreneurial team behavior is important to measure.
Justification: Justified the four characteristics used in the survey.
Method Explanation: Detailed how evidence for these characteristics was gathered in the Methods section.
Revised Sub-Section 2.2: Entrepreneurial team behavior is crucial for enhancing firm performance. Key characteristics include:
Power Focus: Entrepreneurship emphasizes individuals and their actions rather than appearances.
Need for Satisfaction and Autonomy: Entrepreneurs prefer to work on their terms and set their own goals.
Risk Taking: Overcoming financial, social, and psychological challenges through entrepreneurial activities.
These behaviors positively impact firm performance by promoting initiative and responsibility among team members. The relevant hypothesis is: H2: Entrepreneurial team behavior significantly and positively affects firm performance.
Transformational Leadership
Relevance: Established the relevance of transformational leadership in the context of corporate settings.
Importance: Justified why transformational leadership is a critical factor for exploration.
Survey Topics: Specified the factors/topics for transformational leadership evidence gathering.
Revised Sub-Section 2.3: Transformational leadership involves guiding and motivating employees to exceed expectations and embrace change. It includes:
Visionary: Creating a compelling vision for the future.
Motivational: Inspiring and motivating employees to achieve high performance.
Innovative: Encouraging new approaches and solutions to problems.
Supportive: Providing individual support and coaching to team members.
Transformational leaders foster an environment conducive to innovation and growth. The relevant hypothesis is: H3: Transformational leadership significantly and positively affects firm performance.
Firm Performance
Relevance: Focused on performance metrics relevant to surveyed firms.
Specification and Justification: Specified and justified the performance measurements used.
Revised Sub-Section 2.4: Firm performance is a multifaceted concept, often measured through various metrics such as market share, sales growth, profitability, and customer satisfaction. This study uses these common performance indicators to assess the impact of corporate entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial team behavior, and transformational leadership. The relevant hypotheses include:
H1: Corporate entrepreneurship significantly and positively affects firm performance.
H2: Entrepreneurial team behavior significantly and positively affects firm performance.
H3: Transformational leadership significantly and positively affects firm performance.
Data and Methodology
Foundational Information: Provided essential details of quantitative research methods.
Method Justification: Explained the rationale behind chosen methods.
Detailed Methods: Detailed the population, sample, and data collection instrument.
Revised Methodology Section: The research employs a quantitative design, collecting data from 400 white-collar employees in an organized industrial zone in Turkey. The survey instrument, detailed in Appendix A, includes measures of intrapreneurship, entrepreneurial team behavior, transformational leadership, and firm performance. Data collection involved face-to-face interviews, ensuring participant confidentiality and anonymity. The response rate and number of valid completed instruments are also reported.
Discussion and Conclusion
Enhanced Report: Provided a comprehensive report of the literature and methods, enabling a detailed discussion and conclusion.
Findings and Importance: Discussed the findings in detail and their significance for theory and practice.
Future Research: Outlined directions for future research.
Revised Discussion and Conclusion Section: The discussion explores the effects of corporate entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial team behavior, and transformational leadership on business performance. The findings indicate that these factors significantly influence firm performance, providing valuable insights for managers. Future research directions include examining industry-dependent effects, conducting field studies, and exploring the impact of technological transformations.
We hope these revisions address your concerns and improve the quality of the manuscript. Thank you for your constructive feedback.
Kind regards,
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsComments for author File: Comments.pdf
Author Response
We greatly appreciate your thorough feedback on our manuscript titled "The Mediating Effect of Entrepreneurial Team Behavior and Transformational Leadership in the Relationship between Corporate Entrepreneurship and Firm Performance." Your insightful comments have been invaluable in guiding our revisions. Below, we provide a detailed response to each of your points, highlighting the changes made to improve the manuscript.
Abstract
Clarification of Hypotheses: We have clarified the specific hypotheses of the study to ensure the overall objective is clear.
Objective Visibility: Emphasized the overall objective of the study and ensured it remains in focus throughout the abstract.
Revised Abstract:
This study explores the relationship between corporate entrepreneurship and firm performance, focusing on the mediating roles of entrepreneurial team behavior and transformational leadership. A quantitative study was developed using a descriptive design. Data were collected from 400 white-collar employees working in companies within an organized industrial zone in Turkey. The hypotheses were tested using regression analysis with SPSS. Findings indicate significant relationships between corporate entrepreneurship and firm performance, mediated by entrepreneurial team behavior and transformational leadership. This study provides insights into how corporate entrepreneurship influences firm performance, offering practical implications for managers to enhance organizational performance through targeted interventions in entrepreneurial team dynamics and leadership development.
Introduction
References Inclusion: Incorporated relevant references to support the introduction.
Clarification of Concepts: Clarified the similarity between entrepreneurs and transformational leaders with supporting literature.
Revised Introduction:
Corporate entrepreneurship is a burgeoning concept aimed at helping companies thrive amidst complex and competitive conditions, thereby enhancing organizational performance. Entrepreneurs are characterized by their ability to take initiative, act decisively, shoulder responsibility, manage business challenges, and exhibit patience in the face of difficulties (Kuratko, 2009). Similarly, transformational leaders interpret probabilities accurately and devise pragmatic solutions when confronted with problems (Bass, 1985). Examining the relationships between these concepts and firm performance forms the crux of this research.
Existing literature highlights the importance of corporate entrepreneurship and its impact on firm performance (Antoncic & Prodan, 2008). However, there remains a gap in understanding the mediating roles of entrepreneurial team behavior and transformational leadership. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating how entrepreneurial team behavior and transformational leadership mediate the relationship between corporate entrepreneurship and firm performance. The research question guiding this study is: How do entrepreneurial team behavior and transformational leadership mediate the relationship between corporate entrepreneurship and firm performance?
The hypotheses tested include:
H1: Corporate entrepreneurship significantly and positively affects firm performance.
H2: Entrepreneurial team behavior significantly and positively affects firm performance.
H3: Transformational leadership significantly and positively affects firm performance.
This study employs a quantitative research design, collecting data from 400 white-collar employees in Turkey. The findings provide insights into enhancing organizational performance through entrepreneurial behavior and leadership development.
Conceptual Framework
Logical Organization of Hypotheses: Improved the logical organization of the hypotheses with stronger rationales.
Background Clarification: Clarified what is meant by "backgrounds" of entrepreneurs and included relevant literature on personality traits.
Revised Conceptual Framework:
Corporate Entrepreneurship
Corporate entrepreneurship is essential for fostering innovation and enhancing organizational performance (Covin & Miles, 1999). It involves activities such as venturing into new businesses, fostering creative ideas, and encouraging an entrepreneurial spirit (Antoncic & Hisrich, 2001). The hypothesis is:
H1: Corporate entrepreneurship significantly and positively affects firm performance.
Entrepreneurial Team Behavior
Entrepreneurial team behavior is characterized by power focus, need for satisfaction and autonomy, and risk-taking (Johnson, 2001). These behaviors positively impact firm performance by promoting initiative and responsibility among team members. The hypothesis is:
H2: Entrepreneurial team behavior significantly and positively affects firm performance.
Transformational Leadership
Transformational leadership involves guiding and motivating employees to exceed expectations and embrace change (Bass, 1985). Transformational leaders create a compelling vision, inspire and motivate employees, encourage innovation, and provide individual support. The hypothesis is:
H3: Transformational leadership significantly and positively affects firm performance.
Firm Performance
Firm performance is measured through various indicators such as market share, sales growth, profitability, and customer satisfaction (Hult, Hurley, & Knight, 2004). This study examines how the aforementioned variables influence firm performance through the following hypotheses:
H1a: Proactiveness significantly and positively affects firm performance.
H1b: Risk-taking significantly and negatively affects firm performance.
H1c: Differentiation significantly and positively affects firm performance.
H1d: Organizational renewal significantly and positively affects firm performance.
H1e: Aggressive competitiveness significantly and positively affects firm performance.
Data and Methodology
Addition of Missing Sections: Added detailed sections on Participants, Procedures, and Instruments.
Research Design Placement: Moved the research design (Figure 1) to the end of the Conceptual Framework section.
Revised Data and Methodology Section:
The research design (Figure 1) has been moved from this section to the end of the previous one.
Hypotheses were added to the research design (Figure 1)
Participants and Procedures, and scales sections have been added
Participants and Procedure
The research data were collected from companies within an organized industrial zone in Turkey. This cross-sectional study included white-collar employees working in various sectors. We prepared a survey that included a cover letter explaining the study's purpose. Participants were informed that their participation was voluntary, and data were collected through face-to-face interviews, yielding 400 valid responses.
Instruments
Multi-item scales from relevant literature were used to measure the research variables. The survey included scales for intrapreneurship (İçerli et al., 2011), entrepreneurial team behavior (Zampetakis et al., 2009), transformational leadership (Dai et al., 2013), and firm performance (Wang & Wang, 2012). Each scale was measured using a 5-point Likert scale.
Research Design
The research model (Figure 1) illustrates the relationships between corporate entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial team behavior, transformational leadership, and firm performance, including the hypotheses tested in the study.
Analysis and Findings
Explanation of Analysis: Provided detailed explanations of the analysis conducted and the findings.
Revised Analysis and Findings Section:
Regression analysis was conducted to test the hypotheses. The results indicate that entrepreneurial team behavior and transformational leadership positively affect firm performance, while corporate entrepreneurship alone does not have a significant direct effect. However, when mediated by entrepreneurial team behavior and transformational leadership, the effect becomes significant.
Discussion and Conclusion
In this section, hypotheses are defined and personality traits are suggested for future research.
Enhanced Hypotheses Discussion: Improved the discussion of hypotheses and provided more detailed conclusions.
Limitations and Future Research: Expanded the discussion on the limitations and future research directions.
Revised Discussion and Conclusion Section:
This study explores the effects of corporate entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial team behavior, and transformational leadership on firm performance. The findings indicate that these factors significantly influence firm performance, providing valuable insights for managers. Future research should examine industry-dependent effects, conduct field studies, and explore the impact of technological transformations. Additionally, the role of entrepreneurs' personality traits should be further investigated.
We hope these revisions address your concerns and improve the manuscript's quality. Thank you for your constructive feedback.
Kind regards,
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsDear Authors,
I am concerned that you have not acted in response to my comments and observations at all, or if you have, you have done so in a nominal, and thus inadequate manner. The nature of some items, for example my advising that more recent literature must be used throughout, and my advising that the Introduction must be built using and citing key literature, means that it is easy to see that they have not been actioned.
Other items may have been actioned, but you have not met the requirement of Sustainability Editors that the changes be highlighted. I could not find any relevant change.
Perplexingly, you provide in your Response note a revised version of the Introduction but did not insert that in the Revised Manuscript (copy attached). Perhaps that does not matter in that their Introduction remains inadequate by Sustainability standards, or indeed the standards of other reputable journals.
I have advised the Editor that the paper requires further revision and that I am not prepared to again review the paper.
Author Response
Dear Reviewer,
We sincerely appreciate the time and effort you have invested in reviewing our manuscript and providing detailed feedback. We apologize for any oversight on our part regarding your comments and suggestions.
Firstly, we acknowledge the importance of incorporating more recent literature throughout the manuscript and the necessity of building the Introduction using and citing key literature. We have now ensured that recent and relevant studies are integrated into the manuscript, and the Introduction has been thoroughly revised to meet the standards of Sustainability and other reputable journals.
Secondly, we understand your concern regarding the visibility of changes made in response to your comments. We have now highlighted all revisions in the manuscript to ensure that they are easily identifiable. The revised version of the Introduction, which was included in our response note, has also been inserted into the manuscript.
We deeply regret any inconvenience this may have caused and appreciate your understanding. Please find the revised manuscript attached, with all changes clearly highlighted. We hope that these revisions address your concerns and meet the required standards.
Thank you once again for your invaluable feedback and for your continued commitment to maintaining the quality of published research.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Round 3
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsHello Authors,
much improved. Suitable for publication.
