Hulsink, W. Elfring, T. (Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), RSM Erasmus University)
Abstract
The value of networks as an integral part of the explanation of entrepreneurial success is widely acknowledged. It is unclear, however, in what way certain networks influence the success of start-up companies. The question of this paper is: 'in what way does the entrepreneur's network contribute to the success of his start-up.' The network is important because it may contribute to three entrepreneurial processes, i.e. the ability of the entrepreneur to discover opportunities, to get resources, and to gain legitimacy. The networks of 30 ICT start-ups in the Netherlands were (re)constructed on the basis of in-depth interviews with the founders and desk research. A distinction was made between three types of initial network conditions. First, the more or less independent start-ups; secondly, spin-offs from established companies and lastly, start-ups in incubators. On the basis of the variations in the structure of the network and the type of relations we draw conclusions concerning the contribution of a particular network configuration to the ability of the start-up to survive and to grow.
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Paper provided by Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), ERIM is the joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at Erasmus University Rotterdam. in its series Research Paper with number
ERS-2003-070-ORG Revision_Date: 2009-07-29.
References listed on IDEAS Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.:
Gelderen, A.M. van & Frese, M. & Thurik, A.R., 2000.
"Strategies, Uncertainty and Performance of Small Business Startups,"
Research Paper
ERS-2000-18-STR Revision_, Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), ERIM is the joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at Erasmus Uni.
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