To read this content please select one of the options below:

Business social networks and academics' entrepreneurial intentions

Virginia Fernández-Pérez (Administration Business Department, University of Granada, Granada, Spain)
Patricia Esther Alonso-Galicia (Faculty of Business Administration and Accounting, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí, San Luis de Potosí, Mexico)
María del Mar Fuentes-Fuentes (Administration Business Department, University of Granada, Granada, Spain)
Lazaro Rodriguez-Ariza (Administration Business Department, University of Granada, Granada, Spain)

Industrial Management & Data Systems

ISSN: 0263-5577

Article publication date: 4 March 2014

2394

Abstract

Purpose

This study analyses the role of social networks and their effects on academics' entrepreneurial intentions (AEI), from an academic cognitive perspective. Specifically, the paper investigates how business (distinguishing between industrial and financial links) and personal social networks, through opportunity-relevant information and support, could influence academics' intentions to start a business venture on the basis of their research knowledge. The paper examines the mediator roles of entrepreneurial attitudes (EA) and self-efficacy on opportunity recognition (SOR) as important psychological variables for academics. In the same context, the paper examines the mediator role of gender.

Design/methodology/approach

The hypotheses were tested using structural equation modelling analysis, on a sample population of 500 Spanish academics engaged in commercially oriented fields of research.

Findings

The results obtained highlight the positive roles played by business (industrial and financial) networks, both directly in promoting AEI, and indirectly via EA and SOR. The paper finds that male and female academics differ in their perceptions of support from business and financial networks and in their use of these resources in business start-up.

Practical implications

An understanding of these issues offers opportunities to shape government interventions to assist academic entrepreneurs embarking on a business venture, or those already active in this respect, increasing their effectiveness in building, utilizing and enhancing the quality of networking activities.

Originality/value

The paper explores business networking for academics as a factor promoting entrepreneurship. Furthermore, the paper considers an under-researched area that of female entrepreneurship in what is traditionally considered a male-dominated activity.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain (FEM2009-08511).

Citation

Fernández-Pérez, V., Esther Alonso-Galicia, P., del Mar Fuentes-Fuentes, M. and Rodriguez-Ariza, L. (2014), "Business social networks and academics' entrepreneurial intentions", Industrial Management & Data Systems, Vol. 114 No. 2, pp. 292-320. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMDS-02-2013-0076

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Related articles