Abstract
How can entrepreneurs achieve legitimacy from audiences? A growing literature stream on the legitimacy of entrepreneurial identities has identified a trade-off regarding “optimal distinctiveness”: entrepreneurs need to claim distinctiveness to stand out from others, but also claim similarity to not break with social conventions. In this paper, we theorize how the interplay of individuals’ distinctiveness and similarity claims creates “optimal identity distinctiveness”, allowing entrepreneurs to gain legitimacy from audiences. Using a configurational (fsQCA) approach, we analyze conversation data (around 760’000 posts) from seven popular entrepreneurial online communities. Our results highlight three configurations that foster high levels of legitimacy and balance similarity as well as distinctiveness claims (creativity complements invention focus, purpose compensates unpopular high-performing, optimal similarity needs no additional attention). Hence, this paper contributes to the understanding of how entrepreneurs can achieve legitimacy and extends knowledge on outcomes of entrepreneurial identity at the sociocultural level.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.