The role of networks in shaping entrepreneurial leadership: A longitudinal case study
通过对一家运营超过70年、涵盖50多个家族企业的组织进行纵向定性研究，发现网络不仅塑造和定义了创业企业的领导力，还与企业演化、成长和发展相互交织，并据此提出了一个创业演化模型。
This article explores the relationship between leadership and networks in entrepreneurial firms. A longitudinal perspective is adopted to consider how leadership evolves and develops over time in an entrepreneurial setting, based on how leaders draw on networks in which they are embedded. Findings from a qualitative study of an organization operating for over 70 years and including over 50 business-owning families are presented. These show that networks not only shape and define the leadership of the entrepreneurial firm, but also that the firm’s evolution, growth and development are the result of how networks entwine with leadership. These findings are theorized in the form of an entrepreneurial evolution model that is driven by the form and reach of embedded network connections and draws on leader-member Exchange theory. The article concludes with some thoughts on the benefits of networks for practicing leaders.