Network-based Research in Entrepreneurship

Book excerpt: Since Hoang and Antoncic [2003], network based research in entrepreneurship continues to develop and grow. To chart these developments, we discuss core relational (network content, governance), and structural constructs. We identify recent work that has introduced nodal and contextual constructs; the former capture attributes that inhere in the entrepreneur or venture to explain regularities in the patterns of network change. Contextual constructs reflect higher-level characteristics of the environment that influence lower level processes. The resulting theoretical models upon which empirical studies build reflect how the field as a whole has become more rich and complex. Broadly, studies continue to either examine how networks develop over time or their consequences for entrepreneurial outcomes. With more studies examining how network ties are initiated, evolve or are culled, our review of work published in the past decade finds that there is now a greater balance across these two streams. The process-oriented studies inform how entrepreneurial networks arise that may in turn lead to successful milestones achievement including financing and venture growth. We conclude by proposing future areas of research that include exploring the malleability of networking competencies, reviving dormant ties, examining the role of team level network constructs in venture performance, and greater incorporation of contextual factors. We also encourage research designs that employ multiple methods in order to better capture the wide range of constructs being incorporated into current theoretical models of networks.