Social media and entrepreneurship: exploring the impact of social media use of start-ups on their entrepreneurial orientation and opportunities

• Published in: Journal of small business and enterprise development Vol. 29; no. 1; pp. 47 - 73
• Main Authors: Troise, Ciro, Dana, Leo Paul, Tani, Mario, Lee, Kyung Young
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bradford Emerald Publishing Limited 20.01.2022; Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• Subjects: Digital technology; Entrepreneurs; Entrepreneurship; Influence; Knowledge management; Social networks; Startups; Entrepreneurial orientation; Start-ups; Social media; Entrepreneurial opportunities
• ISSN: 1462-6004; 1758-7840
• DOI: 10.1108/JSBED-01-2021-0041

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to investigate how social media use (SMU) affects the entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and entrepreneurial opportunities (EOP) of start-ups.Design/methodology/approachThe hypothesis testing and analysis were conducted using the partial least squares approach to structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).FindingsThe research shows that SMU has a strong positive impact on EOP, while it has no impact on start-ups' EO. Interestingly, the impact of SMU on EOP is stronger than the impact of EO on EOP.Originality/valueThe findings add new knowledge to the emerging research stream that focuses on SMU in the context of entrepreneurship and provides useful insights for both scholars and practitioners. In particular, the evidence suggests implications for stakeholders with regard to their firms' entrepreneurial activities. This research offers several possible avenues for future research.