Social Networks and Brokerage
Social networks are an important theme in the literature on
entrepreneurial crisis response because networks can catalyze compassion
and shape resourcing approaches across groups (Williams & Shepherd,
2018; Worline & Dutton, 2017). As network structures emerge,
connections develop between different actors and nodes (Burt, 1999). The
form of emergent structures depends upon the degree to which nodes
connect as clusters of densely connected individuals (H. E. Aldrich &
Kim, 2007) as well as the extent to which connections exist across
classes of nodes, such as individuals, organizations, and ecosystems
(Casciaro, 2020).
Network brokerage refers to the activity of actors occupying positions
uniquely enabling exchange or interaction between otherwise disconnected
actors in social structures within or between organizations (Kwon et
al., 2020; Williams & Shepherd, 2021). Brokers act as entrepreneurs to
leverage their boundary spanning position for competitive advantage
(Burt, 2005), and sometimes also for the public good (Clement et al.,
2018). Trust and cooperation moderate the relationship between network
brokerage and access to and control of resources and information (Kwon
et al., 2020). Because brokers span structural holes in the network,
they possess greater social capital and can exert entrepreneurial
control over information (Burt, 1999). Patterns of network interactions
evolve over time (Casciaro, 2020) as new ties form (H. E. Aldrich &
Kim, 2007), inter-organizational relations change (H. E. Aldrich &
Whetten, 1981), and brokerage dynamics persist or decay (Kwon et al.,
2020). For entrepreneurial actors, the dynamic nature of networks and
network interactions creates opportunities for adapting to evolving
resource requirements (Sullivan & Ford, 2014).