Social determinants of seed-stage entrepreneurs' success in the high-technology field

Consistent with the previous studies investigating the relationship between social competencies, entrepreneurs' success and access to essential resources, this study respectively intends to add new findings concerning the mediating role of social networks which will enhance the effects of several social skills. Data were collected in a culture not explored in previous studies (the Tunisian context) and a qualitative research was conducted before carrying out a large scale survey, based on a quantitative PLS research. Results indicate that the high-tech entrepreneurs' proficiency at social influence and emotion reappraisal has significant effects on their access to vital resources (i.e., venture capitalists' financing, useful information and human resources). These effects are mediated by the entrepreneurial social capital, which is based on an extensive network involving weak and non-redundant ties. The implications of these findings assist Tunisian entrepreneurs, operating in the high-technology field, to understand the dynamic process by which social skills enlarge social networks to gain access to outside paramount resources and success.