Exploring an inverted U-shaped relationship between entrepreneurial experience and Chinese new venture performance: the moderating role of environmental uncertainty

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between the founder’s entrepreneurial experience and new venture performance in the China’s emerging economy. Based on a sample of ventures in the southern region of China, we demonstrate that the relationship between entrepreneurial experience and performance in Chinese ventures is nonlinear. The empirical study reveals that a high level of experience has a negative impact on performance and there is an inverted U-shaped relationship between the founder’s entrepreneurial experience and new venture performance under the context of the China’s emerging economy. We also find that environmental uncertainty moderates the inverted U-shaped relationship.