TITLE:
Mediating Effect of Strategic Agility on Entrepreneurial Orientation-Sustainable Performance: Evidence from Youth Enterprises in Kenya
AUTHORS:
Shadrack M. Mwadime, Lydia J. Maket, Josphat Cheboi
KEYWORDS:
Entrepreneurial Orientation, Strategic Agility, Sustainability Performance
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Business and Management,
Vol.14 No.3,
May
29,
2026
ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of entrepreneurial orientation and strategic agility on the sustainability performance of youth enterprises in Taita Taveta County, Kenya. Guided by the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) theory, the research defined the dimensions of sustainability performance as economic, social, and environmental. A survey research design was employed, following the positivist epistemology approach. Primary data were collected from 303 respondents out of a sample of 356 youth enterprises, yielding an 85% response rate. Data were gathered using standardized questionnaires to assess the study variables, including entrepreneurial orientation, strategic agility, and sustainability performance. Reliability and factor analyses confirmed that the instruments were valid. The study applied multiple regression and the PROCESS macro to conduct mediation analyses. The findings indicated that strategic agility partially mediated the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and sustainability performance, demonstrating that entrepreneurial behavior and organizational agility jointly contributed to sustainable outcomes. The study provided practical guidance for youth enterprise managers and support agencies on fostering entrepreneurship and agility to enhance sustainability performance across economic, social, and environmental dimensions.