How Entrepreneurs Use Networks To Address Changing Resource Requirements During Early Venture Development

Access to resources is a key challenge facing entrepreneurs during early venture development. Entrepreneurs\u27 networks serve as a principal means of identifying and acquiring needed resources. However, different stages of venture development may address different resource dependencies, suggesting entrepreneurs\u27 networks may need to change to meet changing resource requirements. By employing network theory and resource-dependence theory, we investigate how entrepreneurs may use networks to address changing resource needs during early venture development. Results illustrate how structural characteristics of entrepreneurs\u27 networks at venture launch are associated with network structure and content in early venture development in ways that may promote access to newly needed resources. © 2013 Baylor University