As part of an ongoing project studying entrepreneurs in Fargo-Moorhead I have interviewed dozens of entrepreneurs over the years. Over the last few months in particular, I have interviewed 25 individuals as part of my research with the Challey Institute at NDSU investigating the effects of the COVID pandemic on entrepreneurs and leaders in the FM area. I wanted to share some of my findings so far of the effects of the pandemic on entrepreneurs’ personal and professional relationships. What has been the biggest change? What kinds of things did they find helpful? What ways did they adjust their social networks in light of the pandemic? The first clear outcome of my research shows that most peoples’ social networks – the set of people entrepreneurs interact with on a regular basis – shrunk markedly. The lack of interactions and opportunity to meet with others caused a pruning effect. As one entrepreneur put it, “Your circle just got really small, especially right away when this started. So just that connection to others has gone down to pretty much nothing.” Another founder said, “The ties are weakening… but even the stronger ties, there are fewer of them. So my circles are smaller.” 78
AUGUST 2021
Josh Marineau, Associate Professor of Management at North Dakota State, has had research published in Social Networks, Group & Organization Management, andJournal of Business and Psychology. He has presented his research at academic conferences around the world, most recently at the Academy of Management Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL, and at the International Network for Social Network Analysis Annual Meeting in Utrecht, The Netherlands.