Interpersonal trust, vigilance and social networks roles in the process of entrepreneurial opportunity recognition Online publication date: Wed, 04-Jul-2007
by Scott R. Gordon
International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business (IJESB), Vol. 4, No. 5, 2007
Abstract: This research examines the roles that an entrepreneur's dispositions to interpersonal trust, and vigilance play in the process of opportunity recognition. An entrepreneur's use of social networks as a resource in opportunity recognition is also examined. The basis of this investigation was an empirical study of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) entrepreneurs in Queensland, Australia. A series of 12 hypotheses were developed and tested in this research. Despite a modest sample size, five of the hypothesised relationships were supported. An entrepreneur's dispositions to both trust and vigilance affected the outcomes of their opportunity identification behaviours. A disposition to excess vigilance inhibited the development of entrepreneurial opportunities. While, an extended social network and a trusting disposition were found to facilitate the development of entrepreneurial opportunities.
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