Title: An understanding of peer support in an effectual entrepreneurial process: case of French wine-entrepreneurs

Authors: Coralie Haller; Juliane Santoni; Isabelle Barth; Christina Augarde

Addresses: Humanis Research Center (EA 7308), EM Strasbourg Business School, Université de Strasbourg, 61, Avenue de la Forêt Noire 67000, Strasbourg, France ' Humanis Research Center (EA 7308), EM Strasbourg Business School, Université de Strasbourg, 61, Avenue de la Forêt Noire 67000, Strasbourg, France ' Humanis Research Center (EA 7308), EM Strasbourg Business School, Université de Strasbourg, 61, Avenue de la Forêt Noire 67000, Strasbourg, France ' EM Strasbourg Business School, Université de Strasbourg, 61, Avenue de la Forêt Noire 67000, Strasbourg, France

Abstract: Collaboration and partnering with multiple stakeholders are at the heart of the effectual entrepreneurial process (Sarasvathy, 2003). This study aims to determine the specific role of, what we call, individual strategic partnership (ISP) in the entrepreneurial effectuation process. Therefore, an exploratory and comprehensive qualitative study has been conducted based on ten interviews with wine-entrepreneurs from the French wine industry. These entrepreneurs interact with various ISP, which are organisations or individual which/who influence the evolution of the entrepreneurial process. We have identified coordinating, business, external, internal and peer ISP - who may or may not be supporting wine-entrepreneurs to build and develop their own business. The peer ISP appears to be the one, which counts the most for the wine-entrepreneurs in their respective entrepreneurial process. Interviewed wine-entrepreneurs are particularly linked to actors, who share similar practices and a common identity, and with whom they collaborate to set up their business. The peer ISP provides wine-entrepreneurs with a peer support, essential to the development of their business.

Keywords: individual strategic partnership; entrepreneurial peer support; French wine industry; effectuation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2017.085990

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2017 Vol.32 No.1/2, pp.208 - 228

Received: 13 Jun 2015
Accepted: 09 Mar 2016
Published online: 21 Aug 2017 *

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