RETRACTED ARTICLE: Navigating Time and Strategy: The Role of Chairperson’s Focus in Entrepreneurial Knowledge Flow

This research paper delves into the intriguing interplay between the temporal focus of chairpersons in Chinese A-share companies and its impact on strategic entrepreneurship, particularly emphasizing the moderating effects of human resource slack and age. Contrary to conventional expectations, our study reveals that chairpersons who strength their focus on the past and the future positively influence strategic entrepreneurship, challenging the traditional dichotomy between exploitation and exploration. We also demonstrate that human resource slack plays a crucial moderating role, enabling forward-thinking chairpersons to effectively allocate resources for exploration and exploitation. Additionally, age emerges as a significant moderator, with the beneficial impact of past-focused chairpersons increasing with age, highlighting the complex relationship between time, experience, and leadership effectiveness. Our research contributes to strategic management and entrepreneurial studies by expanding the understanding of temporal leadership beyond a singular focus on the future. It underscores the importance of considering historical knowledge and future vision in strategic decisions. Also, this study emphasizes the need for a nuanced approach to leadership studies that incorporates individual and organizational contexts, enriching our comprehension of leadership dynamics in strategic management. Organizations should recognize the value of diverse temporal perspectives within leadership teams. Developing leaders’ proficiency in navigating past and future-oriented strategies can enhance strategic capabilities. Resource allocation strategies should also consider leaders’ temporal orientations, tailoring them to support different leadership styles. Organizations can position themselves for sustained growth and adaptability in a dynamic business landscape by striking a balance and leveraging the strengths associated with various temporal perspectives.