Navigating Uncertainty: The Evolution of Entrepreneurial Support Networks During the COVID-19 Crisis

The concept of entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs) has gained a prominent role in the field of entrepreneur-ship research, as it provides a framework to examine the contextual factors and interdependencies that shape entrepre-neurial activity within specific regions. Building on this foundation, a young but growing body of research has started to adopt a systems perspective to capture the complex nature of EEs, aiming to understand how they evolve over time through the interactions of interconnected elements and dynamic processes. In this context, the investigation of the evolving structure of EEs, particularly at the actor level, remains an under-explored area. To address this gap, this study investigates structural changes within a support-oriented subsystem of the cultural and creative sectors EE in Norway. Drawing on nonparticipant observation data from 646 entrepreneurs collected before and after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we apply text mining, qualitative content analysis, and social network analysis to examine aggregated connections between artist categories and their most frequently mentioned network partners. By comparing the network structures across both time periods, the study sheds light on changes in the structural positioning and centrality of different actor groups in response to an external shock.