TY - JOUR

T1 - Networking for the environment

T2 - The impact of environmental orientation on start-ups’ networking frequency and network size

AU - Dickel, Petra

AU - Hörisch, Jacob

AU - Ritter, Thomas

PY - 2018/4/1

Y1 - 2018/4/1

N2 - Although the public debate on the environmental orientation of firms has intensified, there is a lack of understanding about the consequences of that orientation, especially in terms of its impact on firms' networking behavior. In order to fill this gap, this paper analyzes the impact of external and internal environmental orientation on start-ups’ network characteristics, because networks are both vital for the success of start-ups and resource demanding. More specifically, the effects of environmental orientation on networking frequency and network size among start-ups are analyzed. Empirical data from 248 technology-based start-ups shows that those firms with a strong external environmental orientation have significantly higher networking frequencies and build larger networks. Conversely, a strong internal environmental orientation is linked to smaller networks. Thus, the results highlight the relevance of differentiating between the external and internal environmental orientation of start-ups because both concepts can have very different effects. From a practitioner perspective, the results have important implications with regard to the resources required for networking and the opportunities and barriers that tend to accompany internal and external environmental orientations.

AB - Although the public debate on the environmental orientation of firms has intensified, there is a lack of understanding about the consequences of that orientation, especially in terms of its impact on firms' networking behavior. In order to fill this gap, this paper analyzes the impact of external and internal environmental orientation on start-ups’ network characteristics, because networks are both vital for the success of start-ups and resource demanding. More specifically, the effects of environmental orientation on networking frequency and network size among start-ups are analyzed. Empirical data from 248 technology-based start-ups shows that those firms with a strong external environmental orientation have significantly higher networking frequencies and build larger networks. Conversely, a strong internal environmental orientation is linked to smaller networks. Thus, the results highlight the relevance of differentiating between the external and internal environmental orientation of start-ups because both concepts can have very different effects. From a practitioner perspective, the results have important implications with regard to the resources required for networking and the opportunities and barriers that tend to accompany internal and external environmental orientations.

KW - Sustainability sciences, Management & Economics

KW - Business network

KW - start-up

KW - sustainability

KW - Entrepreneurship

KW - Ecopreneurship

KW - environmenal orientation

KW - Business network

KW - Start-up

KW - Sustainability

KW - Entrepreneurship

KW - Ecopreneurship

KW - Environmental orientation

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85041478131&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.01.058

DO - 10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.01.058

M3 - Journal articles

VL - 179

SP - 308

EP - 316

JO - Journal of Cleaner Production

JF - Journal of Cleaner Production

SN - 0959-6526

IS - April 2018

ER -