Entrepreneurial Teams and the Evolution of Networks: A Longitudinal Study

Abstract

To study the evolution of entrepreneurial networks, the authors followed a single firm for three years and collected data on changes in the discussion networks of the entrepreneurs. Whereas previous research has demonstrated the heterogeneity of networks between firms, this paper shows how entrepreneurs inside an organization differ in terms of networks and network resources. The authors combine the network data with qualitative interview data in an attempt to explain the observed individual-level differences. On the basis of the empirical material, they present a series of propositions linking individuals, entrepreneurial teams and network evolution.