Implications of Network Diversity for Venture Growth: The Mediation Effect of Entrepreneurial Alertness

Wu Zhao, Jizhen Li, Xiaohua Li and Thomas Schøtt
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Wu Zhao: Xidian University, Xi’an 710126, China
Jizhen Li: School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Xiaohua Li: School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Thomas Schøtt: Department of Entrepreneurship and Relationship Management, Southern Denmark University, Southern Denmark, Engstien 1, 6000 Kolding, Denmark

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 22, 1-15

Abstract: This paper extends the conventional wisdom of social networks and entrepreneurship by clarifying the relationship between network diversity and venture growth as well as by studying the mediation effect of entrepreneurial alertness on network diversity. It highlights the importance of diverse networks for providing heterogeneous information and resources, which is the antecedent of entrepreneurial alertness. In this paper, Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) data from 44 countries are used in our analysis, considering the country’s impact. Overall, we concluded that network diversity can significantly predict entrepreneurial alertness, and a venture’s growth. Furthermore, an entrepreneur’s educational level and entrepreneurial experience have positive moderating effects on the relationship between network diversity and entrepreneurial alertness.

Keywords: network diversity; entrepreneurship; performance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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