Showing Your Cards: Entrepreneurs’ Computer Mediated Discourse as Reflection of Attention

Abstract

Many priorities vie for ventures’ attention at any given point. Most notably, at various points in their lifecycle, ventures are focused on gaining customers, financing, or both. The question is, how can we discern where a new venture’s attention lies? Prior research has primarily studied more established entrepreneurial endeavors, analyzing press releases, annual reports, and traditional media. Younger ventures, however, may not yet have achieved the longevity necessary to execute those forms of communication. The present study proposes that entrepreneurial attention can therefore be observed in less formal communication modes – computer mediated communication (CMC), such as blogs and social mediums. Further, it proposes, defines, and provides qualitative and quantitative measures for provides objective definitions for investor and customer orientations. Last, it applies and demonstrates the use of a modern, contextually-specific methodology in the analysis of entrepreneurial behavior.