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Enlightening the resource in the personal network along the entrepreneurial process: an innovative interdisciplinary method

Author

Listed:
  • Ibrahim Rym

    (AMU - Aix Marseille Université, LEST - Laboratoire d'Economie et de Sociologie du Travail - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Claire Bidart

    (LEST - Laboratoire d'Economie et de Sociologie du Travail - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to propose a research methodology to better understand how resources and opportunities emerge from personal networks in entrepreneurial processes. This exploratory research is based on a bi-disciplinary approach (sociology and management science) that contributes to fill the gap between social network analysis, processual analysis, and entrepreneurial studies. We examine along time two different entrepreneurs' networks and identify, from them, different relational ways through which these entrepreneurs could get closer from their objectives. Using an ego-centered network approach bridges the gap between a strictly individual (isolated) and an organisational (normative) approach. Starting at the very early stage of the development of their business, we collected a set of their personal network of "everyday life" relationships. The size, composition, connectivity, and structure of this personal network give indications of the resources it may provide, their circulation and their availability. These features can be very precisely described through indicators developed in social network analysis. Our network analysis relies on four dimensions: quality of alters (meeting context, similarity, diversity…), of ties (strength, focus, emotional intensity…), of whole network structure (density, modularity, centralization…) and alters' positioning in the structure. This latter dimension gives to alters particularly interesting qualities, as they will play different roles in the network development and resource management. Processual analysis is mobilized to consider both the entrepreneurial initiatives and evolutions, and the elicitation of relational resources and their turnover , some predictable and others not. We present here two short examples of an in-depth data collection and analysis. Our real-time entrepreneurial network process analysis proves to be innovative and promising.

Suggested Citation

  • Ibrahim Rym & Claire Bidart, 2022. "Enlightening the resource in the personal network along the entrepreneurial process: an innovative interdisciplinary method," Post-Print hal-03777052, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-03777052
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