ENTREPRENEURIAL NETWORKS: METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES
Sarah L. Jack, Centre for Entrepreneurship, University of Aberdeen
Principal Topic
Throughout the literature the value of networks for entrepreneurship is reiterated. Studies have demonstrated that not only should entrepreneurs have links to and with others, but that such links are important for entrepreneurial activity. Yet, despite the pervasion of the network concept and its extensive application, our understanding of the relationship between networks and entrepreneurship remains limited to fairly broad and empirical accounts. Two methodological approaches have been applied in seeking understanding. Quantitative approaches remain popular, but often the outcome of these studies has been to demonstrate the utility of networking, measure networks in terms of size and identify structural features. However, to really deepen our understanding of networks we may need to reach below the surface to understand the mechanisms and processes that influence the operation and function of networks. This type of knowledge is likely to be achieved more easily using qualitative approaches.
Method
This study dealt with the question, what are the implications and outcomes of different methodological approaches in studying entrepreneurial networks? To address this question a comparative review and discussion of previous work is provided. The paper continues by examining the outcome of the application of both quantitative and qualitative techniques with an investigation of a set of rural networks. Respondents were randomly selected from an available database of two hundred and sixteen entrepreneurs based in the North of Scotland. A telephone survey was carried out which realised fifty usable responses. From these twelve willing respondents were selected and interviewed at length about the relationship between entrepreneurship and networks.
Results and Implications
Findings thus far demonstrate the very different character of the data generated by different research techniques. Quantitative techniques provided a mechanism for generating an overview of the nature of network ties. However, these techniques were limited in explaining the content of relations and connections. Qualitative techniques allowed a deeper understanding of how networks impacted upon entrepreneurial outcomes. Furthermore, these techniques provided more in-depth explanations about the nature and types of relationships and contact, the reasoning behind the development of networks and motivations and meanings associated with network relations. This research, therefore, provides a measure of support for continuing and expanding the use of qualitative approaches when attempting to develop an extensive and comprehensive understanding of networks.
CONTACT: Sarah L. Jack, Centre for Entrepreneurship, University of Aberdeen, Edward Wright Building, Dunbar Street, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK, AB24 3QY; (T) +1224 273445; (F) +1224 273843; s.l.jack@abdn.ac.uk
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