FOUNDERS’ NETWORKING ABILITY AND THE INNOVATION INTENSITY OF NEW VENTURES: THE MEDIATION EFFECT OF COLLABORATION NETWORK

Abstract

This work aims to reveal the impact of founders’ networking ability on the innovation intensity of new ventures. Additionally, it sheds light on the underpinning mechanism of this nexus by examining the mediating role of firm collaboration network. The empirical analysis is based on an original survey data of 173 new ventures operating in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector in Italy, collected in 2018. Results suggest that higher individual networking ability is not necessarily translated into higher innovation intensity for new ventures. Notwithstanding, the mediation analysis informs that the relationship between founders’ networking ability and the innovation intensity of new ventures is mediated by the firm collaboration network. Implications for both practitioners and academics are also discussed.