Personal networks as fosterers of entrepreneurial orientation in new ventures

Two central propositions are evaluated in this paper: the existence of a direct relationship between the entrepreneur's personal networks and entrepreneurial orientation (EO) development, and the existence of an indirect relationship between the two through the information acquired from personal networks. The effect of EO and personal network development on new venture performance is also studied. The authors test these relationships on a sample of Spanish new ventures. They then discuss the results and comment on possible implications in the academic and managerial sectors.