The entrepreneur's personal network structure and firm growth

Abstract

Entrepreneurs have access to many valuable resources, information, advice and moral support through their personal networks. In order to accurately manage the personal relations in personal networks, it is important to know the structure of the network. The main focus of this study is on the structural characteristics of a micro-firm entrepreneur’s personal network. In this study a single case analysis approach is used. The study’s principal goal is to present an analysis of the structural characteristics of the entrepreneur’s personal network, and each entrepreneur’s personal sub-network. The study provides significant contributions to entrepreneurship network theory and practice. The findings of this research could be helpful for entrepreneurs who are in the process of forming their personal networks as well as for entrepreneurs who want to improve the efficacy of their personal networks.