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Ferreira, A. I., Braun, T., Carvalho, H., Abrantes, A. C. M. & Sydow, J. (2022). Networking to death: On the dark side of start-ups’ external networking. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Research. 28 (9), 289-310

A. I. Ferreira et al.,  "Networking to death: On the dark side of start-ups’ external networking", in Int. Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Research, vol. 28, no. 9, pp. 289-310, 2022

@article{ferreira2022_1716073466577,
	author = "Ferreira, A. I. and Braun, T. and Carvalho, H. and Abrantes, A. C. M. and Sydow, J.",
	title = "Networking to death: On the dark side of start-ups’ external networking",
	journal = "International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Research",
	year = "2022",
	volume = "28",
	number = "9",
	doi = "10.1108/IJEBR-08-2021-0673",
	pages = "289-310",
	url = "https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-08-2021-0673"
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Networking to death: On the dark side of start-ups’ external networking
T2  - International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Research
VL  - 28
IS  - 9
AU  - Ferreira, A. I.
AU  - Braun, T.
AU  - Carvalho, H.
AU  - Abrantes, A. C. M.
AU  - Sydow, J.
PY  - 2022
SP  - 289-310
SN  - 1355-2554
DO  - 10.1108/IJEBR-08-2021-0673
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-08-2021-0673
AB  - Purpose – Many start-ups do not survive the first few years of business. Previous studies suggest that
networks play a role in start-ups’ success, but this positive effect has limits. The purpose of this paper is to
answer the call for a better understanding of the dark side of networks and the variables that condition
variables’ effect on the likelihood of start-ups’ survival.
Design/methodology/approach –Alongitudinal research design includes 139 start-ups (102 from Germany
and 37 from Portugal) and a total of 252 participants. A generalized linear mixed model (GLMM)was applied to
estimate all the coefficients, to test the mediation (H1), the moderation (H2) and the moderated mediation (H3)
while considering the economic situation of the start-up (sales growth), start-ups’ networking behavior,
creativity orientation and ultimately the likelihood of survival.
Findings – Based on an empirical study from two different countries, the results show that effective
networking is contingent on the start-up’s economic situation and creative potential. Specifically, the results
point to situations in which early sales growth may lead to external networking, which, in contexts of low
creativity-oriented start-ups, can compromise the start-ups’ success.
Originality/value – Based on the findings, the authors compare scenarios in which networking increases the
chances for start-up survival with situations where networking can have adverse effects. This study highlights
the importance of considering specific start-up parameters, such as start-ups’ economic situation and level of
creativity orientation, in the business venturing literature.

ER  -