Heart-centred Networks : Powered by the Brain and Driven by the Heart

Gregory, Brian and Jack, Sarah and Discua Cruz, Allan (2025) Heart-centred Networks : Powered by the Brain and Driven by the Heart. PhD thesis, Lancaster University.

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Abstract

This thesis explores the nature of fear within entrepreneurship and how entrepreneurs navigate and mitigate the challenges it presents. Since 2018, UK businesses have been squeezed by multiple macro challenges (Brexit, Covid-19, Inflation, War in Europe etc.), in addition to day-to-day business challenges (Cash Flow, Loss of Employees or Customers etc.), overlaid with personal challenges (health issues, personal finance etc.). These challenges illuminate the reality of entrepreneurship and the difficulties entrepreneurs face in their everyday lives. With this in mind, the aim of this research is to deepen understanding of the nature and role of fear, and the impact upon entrepreneurs when fear is socially expressed. This research employed a complex but practical recipe of theories from entrepreneurship, emotions, networks and reciprocity and was a qualitative, longitudinal study engaging with nine entrepreneurs based in North-West England, UK, with data gathering spread over a 30-month period in free-form diaries and phenomenological interviews. Data analysis adopted a phenomenological approach to extract the essence of lived entrepreneurial experiences. Three principal findings include a re-conceptualisation of fear, a socially dynamic, physical, psychological and emotional response to challenges which is directly influenced, contextually and situationally, by the landscape presented at the time of the challenge. Second was the presence of entrepreneurial fear, a state that allows entrepreneurs to locate and confront challenges, delivering entrepreneurship with the lights turned on. Finally, there was the cycle of reciprocity. Participants consciously and subconsciously operated in a cycle of unrequited reciprocity, with entrepreneurs being compassionate towards one another, obtaining fulfilment from supporting each other to achieve their goals, creating networks powered by the brain and driven by the heart. An improved understanding of how entrepreneurs recognise fear and utilise their networks to mitigate and harness mutually compassionate and beneficial relationships, helps practitioners, educators and policymakers to understand the puzzle that is fear within entrepreneurship. Future research might include the impact of digital platforms on networks, embeddedness and the exchange of social capital.