TY - JOUR

T1 - Examining change in entrepreneurial networks

T2 - Using visualisation as an alternative approach

AU - Soetanto, Danny Prabowo

N1 - This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in European Management Journal. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in European Management Journal, 37, 2, 2018 DOI: 10.1016/j.emj.2018.05.001

PY - 2019/4/1

Y1 - 2019/4/1

N2 - Although network-based research in entrepreneurship has considered the importance of networks for small firm growth, studies have been criticised for their contradictory inferences on how entrepreneurs should embed in networks, and for overlooking the fact that networks are dynamic in nature. In this paper, we seek to contribute to entrepreneurial network literature by exploring changes in entrepreneurial networks using a network mapping approach. To meet our research objectives, we implement an innovative research design (network mapping) where entrepreneurs visually demonstrate how their networks have changed. We find that entrepreneurial networks evolve dynamically in relation to entrepreneurial stages such as opportunity exploration, initial resource gathering, incubation, early market entry, and growth. Based on the characteristics of network, the change can be defined as the initial networks change towards support-based networks, market-based networks, and the development of core networks. Given the nature of these findings, this study contributes to fostering understanding on network changes and the effectiveness of a network mapping approach as an alternative data collection methodology in network research.

AB - Although network-based research in entrepreneurship has considered the importance of networks for small firm growth, studies have been criticised for their contradictory inferences on how entrepreneurs should embed in networks, and for overlooking the fact that networks are dynamic in nature. In this paper, we seek to contribute to entrepreneurial network literature by exploring changes in entrepreneurial networks using a network mapping approach. To meet our research objectives, we implement an innovative research design (network mapping) where entrepreneurs visually demonstrate how their networks have changed. We find that entrepreneurial networks evolve dynamically in relation to entrepreneurial stages such as opportunity exploration, initial resource gathering, incubation, early market entry, and growth. Based on the characteristics of network, the change can be defined as the initial networks change towards support-based networks, market-based networks, and the development of core networks. Given the nature of these findings, this study contributes to fostering understanding on network changes and the effectiveness of a network mapping approach as an alternative data collection methodology in network research.

KW - network

KW - visualisation

KW - entrepreneurship

U2 - 10.1016/j.emj.2018.05.001

DO - 10.1016/j.emj.2018.05.001

M3 - Journal article

VL - 37

SP - 139

EP - 150

JO - European Management Journal

JF - European Management Journal

SN - 0263-2373

IS - 2

ER -