Munawar Muchlish

The rapidly changing business environment and fierce competition necessitate startups to innovate continuously. External stimuli such as market trends, technological advancements, and competition are critical in influencing a startup’s ability to innovate and enhance performance. This study aims to explore the role of these external stimuli, along with management control systems, specifically diagnostic and interactive systems, in promoting radical innovations and improving startup performance. A quantitative approach using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was applied to data collected from 250 startup managers in Indonesia. The results show that external stimuli significantly influence diagnostic (p < 0.001, t = 3.647) and interactive control systems (p < 0.001, t = 5.452). Diagnostic and interactive systems positively affect radical innovation (p < 0.001, t = 3.362). Radical innovation significantly enhances performance (p < 0.001, t = 3.453). Such evidence shows that external stimuli and control systems should be aligned to facilitate radical innovation and increase startup performance. The study offers valuable information for managers on how to achieve operational control but retain strategic flexibility in rapidly changing situations. The findings present both theoretical and practical contributions to strategic management and innovation processes in startup companies.