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Building international entrepreneurial virtual networks in cyberspace

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  • Sigfusson, Thor
  • Chetty, Sylvie

Abstract

We examine how software international entrepreneurs in Iceland use online social network sites to develop and harness their network relationships. To study these relationships, we use a combination of participant observation on LinkedIn and open ended face-to-face interviews. The framework for this study is based on resource-based view, networks and international entrepreneurship theories. We found that entrepreneurs with the largest networks use the online social network to demonstrate their network strength and to identify opportunities to bridge relationships. Our contribution illustrates how entrepreneurs acquire resources to internationalize through online social capital formation.

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  • Sigfusson, Thor & Chetty, Sylvie, 2013. "Building international entrepreneurial virtual networks in cyberspace," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 48(2), pages 260-270.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:worbus:v:48:y:2013:i:2:p:260-270
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jwb.2012.07.011
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    9. Elia, Gianluca & Margherita, Alessandro & Passiante, Giuseppina, 2020. "Digital entrepreneurship ecosystem: How digital technologies and collective intelligence are reshaping the entrepreneurial process," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
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    12. Paniagua, Jordi & Korzynski, Pawel & Mas-Tur, Alicia, 2017. "Crossing borders with social media: Online social networks and FDI," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 35(3), pages 314-326.
    13. P. A. Gloor & A. Fronzetti Colladon & F. Grippa & B. M. Hadley & S. Woerner, 2021. "The impact of social media presence and board member composition on new venture success: Evidences from VC-backed U.S. startups," Papers 2105.10237, arXiv.org.
    14. Zhao, Xiaoyang & Weng, Zongyuan, 2024. "Digital dividend or divide: The digital economy and urban entrepreneurial activity," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    15. Thor Sigfusson & Simon Harris, 2012. "The relationship formation paths of international entrepreneurs," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 10(4), pages 325-349, December.
    16. Hultman, Magnus & Iveson, Abbie & Oghazi, Pejvak, 2023. "Talk less and listen more? The effectiveness of social media talking and listening tactics on export performance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    17. Smith, Claudia G. & Smith, J. Brock, 2021. "Founders' uses of digital networks for resource acquisition: Extending network theory online," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 466-482.
    18. Ilya R. P. Cuypers & Gokhan Ertug & John Cantwell & Akbar Zaheer & Martin Kilduff, 2020. "Making connections: Social networks in international business," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 51(5), pages 714-736, July.
    19. Mara Bergamaschi & Cristina Bettinelli & Elena Lissana & Pasquale Massimo Picone, 2021. "Past, ongoing, and future debate on the interplay between internationalization and digitalization," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 25(4), pages 983-1032, December.
    20. Ilya R. P. Cuypers & Gokhan Ertug & John Cantwell & Akbar Zaheer & Martin Kilduff, 0. "Making connections: Social networks in international business," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 0, pages 1-23.
    21. Gloor, Peter A. & Fronzetti Colladon, Andrea & Grippa, Francesca & Hadley, Beth Marie & Woerner, Stephanie, 2020. "The impact of social media presence and board member composition on new venture success: Evidences from VC-backed U.S. startups," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    22. Thor Sigfusson, 2013. "The Relationship Networks of Entrepreneurs and the Effects of A Formation of An Industry Cluster on Their Relationships," Business and Management Research, Business and Management Research, Sciedu Press, vol. 2(1), pages 104-115, March.
    23. Drummond, Conor & McGrath, Helen & O'Toole, Thomas, 2023. "Beyond the platform: Social media as a multi-faceted resource in value creation for entrepreneurial firms in a collaborative network," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).

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