Entrepreneurs’ network bricolage: Reconfiguring social ties for resource creation

• Published in: Journal of business research 2024-12, Vol.185, p.114931, Article 114931
• Main Authors: Chang, Frances Y.M., Webster, Cynthia M., Aftab Alam, Muhammad, Chirico, Francesco
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Entrepreneurs; Network bricolage; Resource creation; Social network analysis
• ISSN: 0148-2963; 1873-7978
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2024.114931

•Role of existing network ties in repurposing resources for bricolage outcomes.•Differentiating network bricolage outcomes from standard network resource outcomes.•Entrepreneur bricoleurs are, in fact, resource-creators as well as resource-seekers.•Heterogeneity of network ties is instrumental in pursuing network bricolage. The entrepreneurship literature demonstrates the positive impact of network bricolage on resource-seeking. We extend this work by examining why and how entrepreneurs reconfigure ties within the social architecture of their networks. Building on the network bricolage literature and an in-depth analysis of 55 dyadic relationships embedded in four networks, we provide evidence of network bricolage behavior indicating that entrepreneur bricoleurs are, in fact, resource-creators as well as resource-seekers. Our data cover a series of preliminary and in-depth interviews, member checks, site visits, direct observations, and archival sources. We find support for our theoretical arguments that more resources and re-deployment opportunities for developing new products, new markets, and operation efficiencies emerge during bricolage processes when bricoleurs use their networks in ways that differ from their originally intended utility. While the strength of network ties is important in its own right, our findings further suggest that heterogeneity of relationship type is a key factor in pursuing network bricolage. A mix of relationship roles provides opportunities to repurpose network resources to achieve new valued outcomes.