Going online: Peer entrepreneur networks in a startup accelerator before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

A key value proposition of startup accelerators is the creation of social networks among participating entrepreneurs. The formation of these so-called “peer entrepreneur networks” is assumed to be strengthened by physical proximity within the accelerator, which facilitates the creation of trust and opportunities for informal, and often serendipitous, interactions. However, in response to the global spread of COVID-19, accelerators abruptly shifted their programs online, thereby allowing a rare opportunity to test the veracity of the assumption that physical proximity drives social connectivity. To understand how this shift affected peer entrepreneur networks, we compare longitudinal network data of two consecutive cohorts of the same accelerator: one offline-before, and one online-during, the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing from the literature on physical proximity and interaction ritual theory, we show that in the online (compared to the offline) program, peer entrepreneur networks became less dense, entrepreneurs reached fewer peers via indirect connections, and clustering increased. We discuss contributions to theory on peer entrepreneur networks and startup accelerators

Investments in Nascent Project-Based Enterprises: The interplay between role-congruent reputations and institutional endorsement

We study nascent project-based enterprises (PBEs) through the lens of upper echelons and institutional theory. We analyse the interplay between the different role-congruent reputations of their project entrepreneurs and the institutional endorsement of their project idea, theorizing how these affect PBEs' ability to attract private investments. In the context of the Italian film industry, we find that the commercial reputation of the project entrepreneur in the producer role is crucial for attracting investors, while the artistic reputation of the project entrepreneur in the creative director role is crucial for attaining institutional endorsement of the project idea. Finally, we find that the effect of the commercial reputation of the project entrepreneur in the producer role on attracting investments is mediated by the institutional endorsement. We contribute to the literature on PBEs by demonstrating how specific combinations of project entrepreneurs' roles and (role-congruent) reputations can directly and indirectly attract investments

European audiovisual media policy in the age of global video on demand services: A case study of Netflix in the Netherlands

This article considers the provisions in the European Union's revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive concerning video on demand (VOD) services and the effectiveness of supply-side cultural diversity regulations in achieving their purported policy goals of increased production and consumption of European works. Because the Netherlands is the 'country of origin' to several multinational VOD services, including Netflix, we conducted a case study of this specific national context. We examine the quota for and prominence of European works, as well as different forms of financial obligations. We find that the former two policy tools may require new strategies to effectively reach their objectives in a nonlinear context. Our evidence also indicates that the latter remains controversial in the domestic audiovisual industry, as stakeholder positions are dependent on the type(s) of production stimulated. Based on this, we argue that securing the independence of producers and ensuring VOD services are transparent with respect to performance data are essential to promoting source diversity and a sustainable value chain

Relationship value benefits of membership programs, heterogeneous stakeholders and museum impact beyond fees

In times of decreasing public funding, cultural institutions such as museums increasingly develop new stakeholder management practices to build a different or more diversified support base. Recently, membership programs have especially been gaining popularity. In this paper, we adopt a relationship value approach to study the poorly understood behaviors of members that can benefit museums beyond membership fees. In particular, we focus on the extent to which membership level and the perceived prestige of the museum drive value co-creation through prestige leveraging. We study this by using a sample of 430 members and non-members of the Hermitage Museum in Amsterdam. We find that membership level is positively related with cross-buying behavior at the museum store and restaurant, and recommending the museum. In addition, these value creating behaviors are mediated by members leveraging the museum's prestige in their social environment. In contrast, we find a negative relationship between membership level and recruiting new members into the program, which could be explained by status dilution effects

Процедура селекции ридж-регрессионных моделей

Исследована эффективность процедуры селекции регрессионных моделей в случае неопределённости структуры модели, аппроксимируемой ридж-регрессией.Досліджена ефективність процедури селекції регресійних моделей в разі невизначеності структури моделі, що апроксимується рідж-регресією.Efficiency of procedure of selection of regressive models is investigational in the case of vagueness of model structure, by the approximated ridge-regression

Using Grants or Crowdfunding? The Effects of Emerging Artists’ Career Motivations and the Artistic (versus Market) Logic of their Art Field

In this paper, we study the relationships between career motivations of emerging artists and their intentions to use grants or crowdfunding. In addition, we study the extent to which these relationships are affected by the degree of market versus artistic logic of the specific art field in which these emerging artists will become active

Creative Collaborations: The interplay of Agency and Structure

This paper probes into the fundamental question of whether networks drive creativity or vice versa. In doing so, the study conducted in this paper utilizes a powerful and relatively new method (SIENA) that can simultaneously model the co-evolution of networks and behavior. The findings of the study provide support to the hypotheses that predict while social interactions drive creativity, an individual’s demonstrated capability in producing novel ideas also affects the evolution of collaborations networks. These findings contribute to research on agency vs. structure as well as network externalities

The Value of Perceived and Actual Intra-Incubator Networks and Firm Performance

Social networks affect firm performance by providing access to valuable resources. One way to build a social network is to enter into a business incubator. In this paper, we study the relationship between the founders’ perceived value of their intra-incubator social network, their actual intra-incubator social network, and firm performance. In addition, we study how these effects are moderated by: a) the entrepreneurial experience of the founder, b) the dynamism of the market in which the firm operates, c) the age of the firm, d) the size of the firm, and e) the amount of time the firm has been located in the incubator. Finally, while prior studies do not systematically distinguish between different dimensions of intra-incubator networks, we explore how our findings differ when distinguishing between 7 key dimensions of intra-incubator networks: 1) ideas for product development, 2) information about market trends, 3) how to manage my company, and information about potential new 4) colleagues/personnel, 5) customers, 6) suppliers, and 7) investors

Disentangling the value of multiple types of intra-incubator information, advice and referral networks among co-located entrepreneurs

In this exploratory quantitative paper, we study multiple types of informal peer networks among entrepreneurs in incubators. First, we study three types of direct ties: 1) ideas for product development; 2) information about market trends; and 3) advice about how to manage one’s firm. Second, we study four types of referral ties about potential new: 1) customers; 2) suppliers; 3) personnel; and 4) investors. Third, we study the value of each of these networks from the perception of founders. Fourth, we study which kind of entrepreneurs create – rather than derive – value by being the source of information, advice and referrals. Finally, when studying these networks, we take into account a range of firm, founder and context specific effects including firm size, firm age, entrepreneurial experience, and incubation time. Our paper contributes to the literature by comparing the value of different types of informal peer networks among new ventures founders. Although we study this in the context of incubators, some of our findings are likely to be generalizable to peer networks among entrepreneurs