Impact of Social Media on Early Stages of Start-ups

Abstract: This study aims at understanding the impact of social media (SM) at the different early stages of a startup. The early stages are identified as the venture idea generation stage, defined as how an idea is born. Then followed by the venture opportunity development & exploitationstage, which consists of defining an incubation and evaluation phase. To answer this question, believing in a relativism and constructionist philosophical standpoint, the researchers conducted a qualitative study with an inductive analysis. Therefore, conducting nine interviews on entrepreneurs that have started their own businesses. It has been concluded that SM has an increasing influence over the activities of the early stages. While little to no SM was involvedin the venture idea generation, it had shown a stronger influence at the incubation and evaluation phase. In addition to those findings, the study identified enablers and hinders to SM usage. Lastly, contribution has been made to the entrepreneurship literature, by identifying a new phase to the venture opportunity development & exploitation stage, i.e., trustworthiness.