TY - JOUR

T1 - Obstacles, Networking Approaches and Entrepreneurial Network Changes

AU - Soetanto, Danny Prabowo

AU - Qihai, Huang

AU - Jack, Sarah Louise

N1 - This is the peer reviewed version of the following article:Soetanto, D., Huang, Q., and Jack, S. (2018) Obstacles, Networking Approaches and Entrepreneurial Network Changes. European Management Review, 15: 171–189. https://doi.org/10.1111/emre.12183 which has been published in final form at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/emre.12183/abstract This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance With Wiley Terms and Conditions for self-archiving.

PY - 2018/9/19

Y1 - 2018/9/19

N2 - While recent work has considered network change, little is known about how certain factors determine such changes. This study focuses on two factors – the type of obstacles entrepreneurs face and their networking approach – and employs a two‐stage research design and network visualisation approach to capture entrepreneurs’ experiences in managing networks during their entrepreneurial journey. Using an inductive approach, the first stage of the study identifies the obstacles and networking approaches that influence different types of network changes. The second stage employs a deductive approach to test the hypotheses developed from the first stage using a larger sample. We find that in experiencing obstacles from internal sources, entrepreneurs are more likely to find support from weak ties while strong ties are beneficial for overcoming obstacles from external sources. In having difficulties in acquiring entrepreneurial knowledge and skills, entrepreneurs are more likely to develop a low‐density network consisting of many structural holes. Conversely, dealing with difficulties in accessing market and resources imposes over‐reliance on high‐density network. Furthermore, the entrepreneurs’ networking approaches also influence network changes and partially mediate the relationship between the networks and the obstacles they face.

AB - While recent work has considered network change, little is known about how certain factors determine such changes. This study focuses on two factors – the type of obstacles entrepreneurs face and their networking approach – and employs a two‐stage research design and network visualisation approach to capture entrepreneurs’ experiences in managing networks during their entrepreneurial journey. Using an inductive approach, the first stage of the study identifies the obstacles and networking approaches that influence different types of network changes. The second stage employs a deductive approach to test the hypotheses developed from the first stage using a larger sample. We find that in experiencing obstacles from internal sources, entrepreneurs are more likely to find support from weak ties while strong ties are beneficial for overcoming obstacles from external sources. In having difficulties in acquiring entrepreneurial knowledge and skills, entrepreneurs are more likely to develop a low‐density network consisting of many structural holes. Conversely, dealing with difficulties in accessing market and resources imposes over‐reliance on high‐density network. Furthermore, the entrepreneurs’ networking approaches also influence network changes and partially mediate the relationship between the networks and the obstacles they face.

KW - entrepreneurs

KW - obstacles

KW - networking approach

KW - network change

U2 - 10.1111/emre.12183

DO - 10.1111/emre.12183

M3 - Journal article

VL - 15

SP - 171

EP - 189

JO - European Management Review

JF - European Management Review

SN - 1740-4754

IS - 2

ER -