Exploring the roles of social capital and team‐efficacy in virtual entrepreneurial team performance

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the role various forms of social capital play in the performance of entrepreneurial teams in a virtual context.Design/methodology/approach – The relationships between various social capital dimensions – i.e. relational capital, cognitive capital, entrepreneurial orientation and team‐efficacy – and entrepreneurial team performance are investigated. Students in an upper division course were assigned to a project team in which they consulted with a company and collaborated virtually among team members to develop a database to add value to an existing company's operations. Respondents’ perceptions of team social capital were measured via an online survey. Team performance was evaluated independently by course instructors.Findings – Results reveal that the perceptions of social capital in the form of relational capital, cognitive capital and entrepreneurial orientation are significantly positive predictors of team‐efficacy. Moreover, team‐efficacy is a strong p...