The role of identity in entrepreneurial team formation and development

What the paper says

Purpose This study aims to explore how identity is formed and evolves within entrepreneurial teams operating in dynamic and uncertain environments. It examines how individual and shared identities interact with knowledge processes and influence collaboration, trust and decision-making, shaping the formation and development of entrepreneurial teams. Design/methodology/approach This research adopts a multiple-case study approach to explore the entrepreneurial team identity formation and development. It uses one-to-one semi-structured interviews with active entrepreneurial team members who have completed the Central European University iLab Incubation Program. First, an inductive coding strategy was applied. In addition, secondary data were collected through manual web scraping. Findings This study shows that knowledge sharing, resource exchange and mentorship through proactive networking shape teams’ entrepreneurial identity. Networking and social interactions reinforce each other, while incubation increases legitimacy and identity strength. Trust, open communication and feedback foster adaptability, agility and performance, further consolidating entrepreneurial identity. Originality/value This study shifts the focus from individual to collective identity in entrepreneurship, examining how team identity forms and evolves in incubation settings. It highlights the dynamic interplay of networking, knowledge sharing, legitimacy, team dynamics and feedback in shaping shared identity. By emphasizing collaboration and context, it advances understanding of entrepreneurial identity as a collective process.