The mixture makes the difference: Heterogeneity of social networks and the impact on individual entrepreneurial intention

Based on the economic importance of entrepreneurship, private and public institutions are increasingly focusing on the identification of determinants which foster entrepreneurial intention. Social capital is considered as to be a driver of individual entrepreneurial intention, because personal social networks are an important source of value creating resources and information. Nevertheless, only limited insights regarding the relationship between heterogeneity of personal social network, tie strength and entrepreneurial intention exit so far. Based on an empirical investigation of survey data (n=323) the current study examines how far more heterogeneity of social networks enhance individual entrepreneurial intention. The results suggest that increasing heterogeneity in weakly tied network relations, attitude towards behavior, perceived behavioral control and social norm influence entrepreneurial intention in a significant way. On the one hand the results provide useful indications for the selection of candidates of entrepreneurial programs and education. Furthermore, the results provide hints that extension of social capital is an additional possibility, encouraging more people indirectly to an entrepreneurial carrier.