While most studies have viewed bricolage as a tool to overcome resource constraints in the context of new ventures, few of them have directly investigated the effects of bricolage to identify new entrepreneurial opportunities in the context of incumbent firms. Drawing upon a subjectivist view of entrepreneurship, we reframe bricolage as a concrete activity of experiential resource-learning that creates subjective knowledge of resource at hand. We argue that the subjective knowledge derived from bricolage will shape a firm's "subjective opportunity set" and facilitate opportunities identification, which will ultimately increase the likelihood of the incumbent firm's corporate entrepreneurship (including product innovation, venturing, and strategic renewal). Hypotheses are thus developed to examine the relationship between bricolage and corporate entrepreneurship as well as the mediating role of opportunity identification. Moreover, as bricolage activities depend on interactive social contexts rather than individual efforts, the firm's learning orientation is proposed as a moderator that influences the positive effects of bricolage on opportunity identification. We test these hypotheses using the survey data from 248 incumbent firms in China. The empirical results generally support our hypotheses by showing that (1) bricolage positively influences opportunity identification, (2) opportunity identification mediates the relationship between bricolage and corporate entrepreneurship, and (3) learning orientation has a positive moderating effect on the relationship between bricolage and opportunity identification. These findings contribute to our understanding of the role of bricolage in context of corporate entrepreneurship by being an opportunity identification incubator. Implications for managers are also included in the end of this article. Practitioner PointsView bricolage not only as an approach to overcome resource constraints but also a way to stimulate innovation, strategic renewal, and venturing in incumbent firms.Monitor the bricolage process to generate and cumulate new knowledge of resource at hand to better identify new opportunities.Cultivate high learning orientation in the organization to enhance the effect of bricolage on opportunity identification.

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Purpose Previous studies have produced inconsistent findings regarding the effects of resource constraints on corporate illegal behavior. This study aims to explore how entrepreneurial firms can overcome the difficulties generated by resource constraints. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on insights from general strain theory and focusing on listed entrepreneurial firms, this study proposes that failure to obtain enough resources through listing generates strain in the managers of listed entrepreneurial firms, driving them to resort to corporate financial fraud as a solution. Nevertheless, such relationships between resource constraints and the likelihood of corporate financial fraud can be weakened by innovation capability, because innovation capability can generate more confidence in their managers and relieve their strains, thereby dissuading them from engaging in corporate financial fraud. Findings According to our empirical results, both financial and human resource constraints are positively related to the likelihood of corporate financial fraud in listed entrepreneurial firms, but such effects can be mitigated by innovation capability. Practical implications This study provides practical implications for both regulators and managers by indicating that although entrepreneurial firms with resource constraints are more likely to commit financial fraud, innovation capability could be a strategic approach to enhance managers’ confidence and relieve the strain. Originality/value Our study contributes to the literature by enriching our understanding of the consequences of resource constraints in entrepreneurial firms and highlighting the strategic importance of innovation capability in mitigating such effects.

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