Title: Inputs of the social life theory of Ingold to entrepreneurial network: a tetratype model of relationships

Authors: Caroline Merdinger-Rumpler; Odile Paulus; Olga Bourachnikova

Addresses: EM Strasbourg Business School, University of Strasbourg, 61, Avenue De La Forêt Noire 67085 Strasbourg, France ' EM Strasbourg Business School, University of Strasbourg, 61, Avenue De La Forêt Noire 67085 Strasbourg, France ' EM Strasbourg Business School, University of Strasbourg, 61, Avenue De La Forêt Noire 67085 Strasbourg, France

Abstract: This empirical research studies the nature of relations entrepreneurs have with their network stakeholders. Inspired by Ingold's (2017a) social life theory, a comprehensive methodology was adopted to study a specific context of student-entrepreneurs engaged in a three-year entrepreneurial team-action learning program. We propose a typology that sheds light on the nature of social network relations through characteristics like the various intensities ranging from weak to strong, then the type of perception student-entrepreneurs have of the stakeholder (from resource, person to support or key player), their openness, and finally, the transformative potential of their inner self or the entrepreneurial project levels. Ultimately, we present a tetratype model of relations that opens a new view on the entrepreneurial network.

Keywords: entrepreneurship; entrepreneurial network; Ingold; social life theory; relationship model; business model; entrepreneurial education; entrepreneur's stakeholders; experiential learning; human support for entrepreneurs.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2025.142890

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2025 Vol.54 No.1, pp.83 - 97

Received: 19 Jun 2022
Received in revised form: 31 Oct 2022
Accepted: 31 Oct 2022
Published online: 02 Dec 2024 *

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