The role of exchange in network ties : A qualitative study of the wine industry in Greece

Dimakou, Pari and Jack, Sarah and Mouzas, Stefanos (2020) The role of exchange in network ties : A qualitative study of the wine industry in Greece. PhD thesis, Lancaster University.

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Abstract

Within the entrepreneurship literature, network ties have received significantly more attention than network processes. This is surprising because, although it is ties that form a network, it is what occurs within them, i.e. exchange, that affects entrepreneurial outcomes. By investigating the role of exchange among network ties, this study provides a more accurate illustration of the generation of entrepreneurial outcomes. Through an examination of work on networks and exchange this thesis focuses not only on the role of exchange among and within ties but also how this role brings about change in networks. To arrive at a thorough understanding of the issue, both network and exchange perspectives on entrepreneurship are combined, thus generating a stronger conceptual appreciation of exchange in networks than is currently offered in the literature. To deal with the issues arising from a review of network and exchange perspectives, a critical realist, qualitative approach is adopted. The unit of analysis is the entrepreneurs’ network, centred around individual entrepreneurs. Through analysis of data obtained from sixteen entrepreneurs in the wine industry in Greece, the research illustrates that, as the network the firm is immersed in goes through various stages, different types of tie are utilised and, although exchanges among ties are present throughout the network process, different stages highlight different facets of exchange. The key finding is that the role of exchange among and within network ties can be accurately delineated through four stages: Stage 1: Early Phase; Stage 2: Establishment; Stage 3: Growth; Stage 4: Change and Reshaping. This integrative, non-linear model of exchange follows networks through their evolution and development over time, thus shedding light on the entrepreneurial process from an interactive perspective. In addition, it provides an accurate explanation of entrepreneurial change, illustrating it as the product of both intrinsic and extrinsic effects. By doing so, this study addresses calls for better understanding what is that is really going on within network relations, network development and change over time.