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Exploring the construction of social capital within the student entrepreneurship sub-ecosystem

Author

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  • Pauline Brunner

    (BETA - Bureau d'Économie Théorique et Appliquée - AgroParisTech - UNISTRA - Université de Strasbourg - Université de Haute-Alsace (UHA) - Université de Haute-Alsace (UHA) Mulhouse - Colmar - UL - Université de Lorraine - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement, UNISTRA FSEG - Faculté des sciences économiques et de gestion [Strasbourg] - UNISTRA - Université de Strasbourg)

  • Karim Messeghem

    (MRM-EPME - Montpellier Research in Management - Entrepreneuriat et PME - MRM - Montpellier Research in Management - UPVD - Université de Perpignan Via Domitia - UM - Université de Montpellier, UM - Université de Montpellier)

Abstract

The aim of this article is to show how student entrepreneurs construct their social capital within the sub-ecosystem of student entrepreneurship. We conducted a single case study on the professional network of a cohort of students participating in an entrepreneurship programme in the city of Strasbourg in France. Analysis of their professional networks for their entrepreneurial project reveals the relational dynamics between student entrepreneurs, very strong at the beginning of the scheme but fading over time. Our results also cover the dynamics of professional relationships with other actors in the student entrepreneurship sub-ecosystem, which tend to disperse over time. However, it appears that the role of some students is changing, moving from that of student learner to that of entrepreneur who plays an intermediary role within this sub-ecosystem.

Suggested Citation

  • Pauline Brunner & Karim Messeghem, 2025. "Exploring the construction of social capital within the student entrepreneurship sub-ecosystem," Post-Print hal-04993466, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04993466
    DOI: 10.1080/08985626.2025.2475907
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-04993466v1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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