Weaving network theory into effectuation: A multi-level reconceptualization of effectual dynamics

Causation, effectuation, improvisation et agir entrepreneurial. Pour une approche renouvelée et intégrative de l’entrepreneuriat

“…Comme nous pouvons le constater à tout moment, l'agir entrepreneurial est relatif aussi à l'apport et à la qualité d'individus nommés parties prenantes (famille, amis, fournisseurs, clients, salariés, familles, financeurs…), y compris dès la création (Lerner, 2016) ; même si dans ce cas, l'intervention de ces parties prenantes est généralement limitée à cause du manque d'expérience du créateur. Ainsi l'agir entrepreneurial se construit-il à partir du moment où l'entrepreneur prend en compte son action et ce qu'en ressent son ou ses clients, ses financeurs potentiels, en tout cas toute personne qui serait en lien ou comme participant passivement ou activement à son projet, en plus de ses réseaux, le tout évoluant dans le temps (Kerr et Coviello, 2019). Il s'agit d'y voir l'apport de l'action distribuée.…”

On the cognitive microfoundations of effectual design: the Situated Function–Behavior–Structure framework

“…Relatively unexamined, however, are the cognitive mechanisms underlying such opportunity development processes within this effectuation process. There has been some limited work recently in this direction, which has included examinations of the role of social interaction processes (Kerr and Coviello, 2020) and of the cognitive differences between novices and experts (Dew et al , 2018). However, this research has not yet unpacked the cognitive processes underlying effectual resource adaptation, and the bulk of the entrepreneurial cognition literature has remained focused on forward-linear opportunity recognition and development processes as opposed to the circular, recursive opportunity design process described and advocated by effectuation theory.…”

“…“Microfoundations” refer to the (often individual-level) underpinnings of socioeconomic phenomena (Barney and Felin, 2013), such as entrepreneurial opportunities, from or through which such phenomena emerge. There has been some recent work in developing microfoundations for effectuation theory, but these efforts have so far focused on the determination between a causal or effectual decision logic (An et al , 2020; Berends et al , 2014; Fisher, 2012; Frese et al , 2020; Kerr and Coviello, 2020; Packard and Clark, 2020; Reymen et al , 2015; Smolka et al , 2018) or the differences between novice and expert entrepreneurs (Dew et al , 2018). One promising avenue of microfoundational exploration connects effectuation theory to design science (Sarasvathy, 2003; Sarasvathy et al , 2008), which advocates a forward-looking, prescriptive approach to science.…”

Perceived environmental uncertainty and network development: the case of Greek SMEs

“…Networks appear to be vital living organisms which change, grow, and develop through time (Jack et al, 2008;Kerr and Coviello, 2020;Wegner et al, 2018). This is happening because network relationships are process-based and as Coviello (2006, pp.…”

“…Network development refers to the changes that occur in the network architecture which is comprised by three primitives, namely the nodes (actors), the ties which connect the nodes and the structure which results from these connections (Ahuja et al, 2012;Kerr and Coviello, 2020). The network architecture can change in regard to both structural and interactional dimensions, meaning that the changes may concern its structure, the strength of the ties connecting the nodes and also the exchanged content between the partners (Ahuja et al, 2012, Coviello, 2006Fowler and Reisenwitz, 2013;Hoang and Antoncic, 2003;Hoang and Yi, 2025;Koka et al, 2006).These three types of network development will be discussed in turn.…”