Title: Behind the scenes: applying social network analysis to unfold entrepreneurs' investment decisions

Authors: Paul Beckman; Nasser Shahrasbi

Addresses: Information Systems Department, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA ' Information Systems Department, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA

Abstract: This study aims to test and expand the application of social network analysis (SNA) to entrepreneurship and the joint-investing domain. We used as a setting for our study, the television show Shark Tank, wherein 'Sharks' (investors) can choose to not invest, or to invest individually or in groups, in companies 'pitched' by entrepreneurs. From this foundation, we create a node-and-edge graph wherein each Shark is a node in a network and edges are created through the action of a joint investment that includes more than one Shark. We use graph theory to show quantitatively which Sharks have made the most individual and joint investments and then create a visual image that shows graphically the network created by all joint investments made by all Sharks. Finally, we make several investment insights that would not be obvious using traditional statistical processes.

Keywords: entrepreneurs; investing; graph theory; Shark Tank; social network analysis; SNA; joint investment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2020.104259

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2020 Vol.39 No.1/2, pp.325 - 337

Received: 22 Oct 2018
Accepted: 26 Mar 2019
Published online: 23 Dec 2019 *

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