The influence of the structure of social networks on academic spin-offs’ entrepreneurial orientation

Abstract

This paper has been designed to analyse the impact of the structure of social networks on academic spin-offs’ entrepreneurial orientation. We have specifically focus on both size and frequency of three different types of social networks: informal networks (composed of family and friends); market networks (composed of agents belonging to the business context); and university support networks (composed of university institutions and agents). With the premises of Resource Dependence Theory as theoretical background and drawing on a sample of 167 Spanish academic spinoffs, results of regression analysis have highlighted the positive influence of market networks and university support networks on the enhancement of academic spin-offs’ entrepreneurial orientation, as well as the null impact exerted by informal networks. Our paper expands the research developed in the fields of academic entrepreneurship, social networks and Resource Dependence Theory and offers some suggestions to academic spin-offs’ managers and university support institutions.