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How does entrepreneurial failure change an entrepreneur's digital identity? Evidence from Twitter data

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  • Fisch, Christian
  • Block, Jörn H.

Abstract

We assess whether and how entrepreneurs' digital identities change in response to entrepreneurial failure based on a sample of 760 entrepreneurs who experienced failure. We analyze a longitudinal dataset of Twitter messages before, during, and after a business failure with a language-based method of computerized text analysis. The results of our explorative research indicate that the financial, social, and psychological consequences of failure are reflected in entrepreneurs' Tweets and lead to changes in their digital identities. Among others, entrepreneurs' language decreases in emotional tone and indicates increased psychological distress. Simultaneously, we observe higher levels of self-assurance and reflection after failure. We conclude by outlining the potential of using Twitter-generated digital footprints in future entrepreneurship research.

Suggested Citation

  • Fisch, Christian & Block, Jörn H., 2021. "How does entrepreneurial failure change an entrepreneur's digital identity? Evidence from Twitter data," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 36(1).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbvent:v:36:y:2021:i:1:s0883902619307311
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusvent.2020.106015
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Short, Cole E. & Short, Jeremy C., 2023. "The artificially intelligent entrepreneur: ChatGPT, prompt engineering, and entrepreneurial rhetoric creation," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 19(C).
    6. Carolin Bock & Sven Siebeneicher & Jens Rockel, 2022. "The “C” in crowdfunding is for co-financing: exploring participative co-financing, a complement of novel and traditional bank financing," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 92(9), pages 1559-1602, November.
    7. Fisch, Christian & Franken, Ingmar H.A. & Thurik, Roy, 2021. "Are behavioral and electrophysiological measures of impulsivity useful for predicting entrepreneurship?," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 16(C).
    8. da Fonseca, André Luís A. & Chimenti, Paula & Campos, Roberta D., 2023. "‘Take my advice’: Entrepreneurial consumers and the ecosystemic logics of digital platforms," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    9. Maarten Cerpentier & Tom Vanacker & Ine Paeleman & Katja Bringmann, 2022. "Equity crowdfunding, market timing, and firm capital structure," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 47(6), pages 1766-1793, December.
    10. Alice Rossi & Tom Vanacker & Silvio Vismara, 2023. "Unsuccessful Equity Crowdfunding Offerings and the Persistence in Equity Fundraising of Family Business Start-Ups," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 47(4), pages 1327-1355, July.
    11. Nizar Mtibaa & Sami Boudabbous, 2023. "The Realities of Learning through Failure in Entrepreneurship: Results of Qualitative Research," International Review of Management and Marketing, Econjournals, vol. 13(2), pages 19-27, March.

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