Managing network motivations of [Ev]Entrepreneurs

Abstract

Entrepreneurial networks are important in the development of any industry. These networks offer access to resources, information, support and markets. In a dynamic, fast growing and diversified industry such as the wedding industry, the role of networks becomes an interesting lens to view entrepreneurs‟ motivations to attend events, for example an exhibition. In this research, we have surveyed 159 eventrepreneurs to investigate their motivations to network in this context. The selling and non-selling expectations of these networks provided insight into what networks they use and the objectives they set for these networks. Our findings have shown that their main selling motive was to establish networks for business purposes, while the main non-selling motive was developmental in nature, for staff and on a personal level. This research contributes to networking, entrepreneurship and event management literature to provide a better understanding of the network motivations and skills of entrepreneurs in this industry.