Effects of network bricolage on entrepreneurs’ resource creation

Applying the lens of network bricolage, our study examines how entrepreneur bricoleurs “make do with what’s on hand”, using their networks to circumvent resource constraints in their pursuit of growth strategies for their ventures. We tease out the network bricolage ties from mere resource-seeking ties. We provide evidence of network bricolage behavior indicating that entrepreneur bricoleurs, are in fact, resource-creators rather than mere resource-seekers. We do this by examining interview data and matching the data with social network analysis of graphs and quantitative measures of key structural network characteristics. Bricoleurs use their networks as resources at hand in ways that differ from the original intended utility of the networks, thus creating new resource opportunities. While tie strength is an integral part of entrepreneurs’ networks, our results suggest relationship type is a key consideration in pursuing network bricolage as relationship roles provide the first opportunity to reconstruct resources with economic utility outcomes. This study adds to knowledge of the entrepreneur bricoleur in explaining resource creation behavior.