The role of entrepreneurial networks in the process of start-ups creation

Abstract

In today’s world entrepreneurship is increasingly common. Every individual has their own network of family, friends and extended connections, and this study demonstrates, how the networks can influence the development of the start-ups to increase their competitiveness and decrease uncertainty. This article aims to highlight the benefits of the entrepreneurial network from the perspective of the entrepreneur. In order to obtain empirical data, interviews were conducted with start-up entrepreneurs from both Poland and Hong Kong. One unexpected obstacle worth emphasizing which was discovered while conducting interviews for the survey is the reluctance of entrepreneurs to share their experiences about their social connections. However, it cannot be denied that entrepreneurial networks provide a set of significant benefits, which impact the activities of start-ups, to the extent that their impact should be investigated further. This study will contribute to the field of entrepreneurship studies by providing insight into the usage of networks by start-up entrepreneurs in Poland and Hong Kong.