When social media backfires – intrusive ties in entrepreneurship

Abstract

This study critically explores the potential negative impacts of social media for entrepreneurship, and acknowledges online interactions as a part of the social dynamics surrounding entrepreneurship. The study departs from theories on entrepreneurship as a context-dependent social process and uses Gronvetter's concept of ties as a theoretical lens. To develop an understanding of the social aspects of entrepreneurship, this study employs qualitative methods of inquiry and combines a netnographic approach with ethnography. This study illustrates the need to include interactions on social media platforms as a part of the social context for entrepreneurs, and introduces the concept of intrusive ties for explaining how individuals online can, forcibly, make themselves part of the entrepreneurial process.