Abstract
This study investigates the mediating role of government support in the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and non-financial performance of start-ups in Jiangxi Province, China. Using a quantitative, cross-sectional design, data were collected from 385 start-up executives through a structured questionnaire. The instrument measured five dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation: innovativeness, proactiveness, risk-taking, competitiveness, and aggressiveness, alongside financial and policy support indicators, and non-financial performance outcomes, such as product launches, branch expansion, investor attraction, employee retention, and profitability timelines. Statistical analysis using SPSS 26 and Hayes' PROCESS Macro Model 4 revealed that entrepreneurial orientation has a significant positive effect on non-financial performance (β = 0.563, p < 0.001). Moreover, government support partially mediates this relationship, with policy support showing a more substantial mediating effect than financial assistance. The findings demonstrate that start-ups with high entrepreneurial orientation are more likely to achieve superior non-financial performance when supported by conducive policy environments and adequate financial mechanisms. This research advances the theoretical understanding of how internal strategic behavior and external institutional factors jointly shape start-up performance in developing regions. Practically, it highlights the need for policymakers to strengthen integrated support systems that align policy incentives with entrepreneurs' strategic orientations. The study concludes that entrepreneurial orientation, reinforced by adequate government support, is a critical pathway toward sustainable start-up growth and competitiveness in emerging economies.
