| Entrepreneurs and social network theory is an emerging area of research in entrepreneurship. This is based on the premise that the entrepreneur is a networking person and that their personal networks are the vehicle they use to acquire resources and information. Existing research has focused on the structural nature of networks with little research in the interactional dimension specifically that of the content dimension. There lacks a clear understanding of the meaning people attach to their network relationships and the quality of those relationships. Using Moustakas' (1994) phenomenological approach to data collection and analysis a purposeful sample of 15 owner/manager of specialty retailers in metropolitan areas were interviewed and were asked to describe the motivation, expectations and outcome of their network relationship. Six themes were identified. First, trust was the foundation of owner/manger network relationship. Second, family, friends and employees were the core of network relationship. Third, customers were critical to market information, community links and growth. Fourth, professional advisor relationships were rooted in informal relationships. Fifth, there was limited participation in business associations and business support organizations. Sixth, entrepreneur's self-concept strongly impacts the networks. The findings conclude that close ties and trust form the basis for understanding the content of entrepreneurial relationships; customers and vendors are critical links to market information: network content is dynamic and changes over the phase of the business; an entrepreneurs individual attributes influence the content of their networks and bank relationships are the most developed professional advisor relationship. Conclusions and recommendations are provided for its use in practice, human resource development, policy and future research. |
