Entrepreneurial networking differences: An ethnic in-group and out-group analysis

Boris Urban

doi:10.4102/sajip.v38i1.826

Abstract

Entrepreneurial networking differences: An ethnic in-group and out-group analysis

Highlights

The contemporary study of ethnic entrepreneurship and the importance of social embeddedness can be traced to the works of Max Weber and Joseph Schumpeter
Research on entrepreneurial networking has found that most business owners name no more than three helpers, resonating with the present study
Research on entrepreneurial networking has found that most business owners name no more than 2–3 helpers (Audretsch & Keilbach, 2004), resonating with the present study findings

Summary

Introduction

The contemporary study of ethnic entrepreneurship and the importance of social embeddedness can be traced to the works of Max Weber and Joseph Schumpeter. Both argued that the source of entrepreneurship behaviour lay in the social structure of societies and the value structures they produce (Schumpeter, 1934; Weber, 1948). There is growing literature suggesting the importance of networks to entrepreneurs and even arguing that social capital may be the most significant source of knowledge for entrepreneurs (Arenius & De Clercq, 2005; Audretsch & Keilbach, 2004; Davidsson & Honig, 2003). Researching entrepreneurship using a network perspective is important, as social networks are crucial assets for small business owners struggling to survive in competitive markets (Aldrich & Zimmer, 1986; Aldrich & Waldinger, 1990; Audretsch & Keilbach, 2004)

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion