Making sense of identity transitioning within the new venture creation process

Hoyte, Cherisse; Noke, Hannah

Abstract

Purpose: This study explores how aspiring entrepreneurs navigate between their own individual self-concept and the organisational identity of the new venture during the process of new venture creation. Design/methodology/approach: The study draws on three cases of aspiring entrepreneurs within a UK-based university incubator in the process of 'becoming' entrepreneurs. Semi-structured interviews and secondary data were collected and analysed using a flexible pattern matching approach. Findings: The data illustrated parallel identity and sensemaking processes occurring as the aspiring entrepreneurs navigated towards new venture formation. For the organisatio na l identity process, three key stages were found to occur: referent identity labelling, projection, and identity reification. Concurrently the sensemaking process made up of creation, interpretation and enactment were seen to enable identity transitioning mechanisms: cue identification, liminal sensegiving and recognition of formal venture boundaries, which led to the organisational identity being formed. Originality: By extricating the stages of organisational identity formation, often hidden within the new venture creation process, this study has framed new venture creation as a limina l experience and a visible site of identity work. This study presents a process model of the key identity transitioning stages and mechanisms in new ventures, by illustrating how aspiring entrepreneurs' sensemaking influences identity transitions during the process of venture creation.

Citation

Hoyte, C., & Noke, H. (2023). Making sense of identity transitioning within the new venture creation process. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior and Research, 29(8), 1741-1762. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-06-2021-0501

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 10, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Sep 4, 2023
• Publication Date: Sep 4, 2023
• Deposit Date: Oct 3, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 12, 2023
• Journal: International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior and Research
• Print ISSN: 1355-2554
• Publisher: Emerald
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 29
• Issue: 8
• Pages: 1741-1762
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-06-2021-0501
• Keywords: Identity; Transitions; New venture creation; Sensemaking; Liminality; Qualitative 2
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/25674241
• Publisher URL: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJEBR-06-2021-0501/full/html