Personal and social identity are critical for entrepreneurs. However, tensions arise in entrepreneurial experiences due to the independence underlying personal identity and embeddedness underlying social identity. In this qualitative study, we explore how novice and experienced entrepreneurs navigate these tensions. We find that novice entrepreneurs are focused on discovering their personal identity via broad interactions within social groups. Experienced entrepreneurs devote more time to their ventures and less time in social groups but they value the targeted collaborations within these social groups. We discuss the mechanisms that underlie the paradox between centrality and salience of personal and social identity.

个人和社会身份对企业家来说至关重要。然而，由于个人身份背后的独立性和社会身份背后的嵌入性，在创业经历中会出现紧张局势。在这项定性研究中，我们探讨了新手和有经验的企业家如何应对这些紧张局势。我们发现新手企业家专注于通过社会群体内的广泛互动来发现他们的个人身份。有经验的企业家将更多时间投入到他们的企业中，而在社会群体中投入的时间更少，但他们重视这些社会群体内的有针对性的合作。我们讨论了个人和社会身份的中心性和显着性之间的矛盾背后的机制。