The Influence of Social Network Dynamism on Business Start-up Activity: A Longitudinal Examination of Female Nascent Entrepreneurs

Social Networking Theory suggests that social networks are dynamic over time. This study examines this dynamism in the context of nascent entrepreneurship. Hypotheses tested in previous literature are re-tested to build a foundation for newly hypothesized relationships between changes in social network composition and their effects on business outcomes. The replicated hypotheses from past literature regarding gender influences on social network orientation are confirmed and results show that entrepreneurs who experience changes in social network orientation over time were more likely to have successful business outcomes and were less likely to abandon entrepreneurial efforts. Implications for future research are also discussed