The use and contributions of formal entrepreneurial networks: theoretical proposals and evaluation: the case of the CJD La Défense.

Summary Our thesis is set in a French context marked by the increase in entrepreneurial networks, the functioning and benefits of which are still little known, since entrepreneurship research is more interested in the entrepreneur's personal network than in the analysis of closed entrepreneurial networks. However, their importance for the construction and consolidation of the social capital of their members has been emphasized in recent years. The objective of our thesis is to propose a theoretical and methodological framework for evaluating the contributions of formal entrepreneurial networks from a social capital perspective. Based on recent contributions related to the entrepreneur's network, the social capital generated by networking activity and the community of practice, we present a theoretical framework to study the flows of advice, business opportunities and tangible resources circulating in formal entrepreneurial networks, as well as the creation of perceived value for members. A mixed research methodology (sociometric questionnaire and semi-structured interviews) is used to study this issue in the context of the Centre des Jeunes Dirigeants La Defense. Of the nine propositions formulated from our research model, four are fully validated, two are partially confirmed and three are invalidated. Our results indicate that the structural position in the network, the content and the perceived benefits of the networking activity vary according to the profile of the members (the entrepreneur profile, defined on the basis of the entrepreneurial experience and the networker profile, defined on the basis of the networking experience). We present the theoretical, methodological and practical implications of our research for the study of formal entrepreneurial networks and their use by members.