Entrepreneurs and Social Networks
Yossi Dashti, BGU

Abstract

The relationships between Israeli entrepreneurs' background, use of social networks, and the success of their high technology ventures are explored. Economic, cultural, social, and psychological attributes likely to contribute to the success of the ventures are examined. Israeli high tech entrepreneurs were interviewed in order to test the hypotheses that a) Utilization of social networks by Israeli high tech entrepreneurs positively correlates with the success level of their ventures b) Background of Israeli high tech entrepreneurs, such as military experience and exposure to environments with high level of uncertainty, positively effect the utilization of social networks and venture performance and c) Personality traits of the Israeli high tech entrepreneur, especially extroversion, positively effect the utilization of social networks and venture performance.

Combined qualitative and quantitative methodologies are deployed using four research instruments: 1) An entrepreneur and venture questionnaire 2) Network utilization assessment survey for specific network relationships and impact 3) Guided interview that will be conducted with 12 subjects, and 4) Collection of publications, media coverage, and financial reports filed with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of the entrepreneurs' ventures.

Results are expected to have both theoretical and practical applications including information about a unique community of Israeli high tech entrepreneurs operating in the global environment.

Copyright © 2005 by Yossi Dashti, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
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