Purpose

Using resource-based theory and social cognitive theory, this study aimed to investigate crucial resources that new US fashion ventures need to survive the initial stage of business development. It also intended to discover the role and characteristics of founders that contribute to the success of a fashion business, as well as challenges and struggles that fashion entrepreneurs face.

Design/methodology/approach

For the study, a qualitative research method with in-depth personal interviews was conducted. Participants were recruited through purposeful sampling methods. Using a grounded theory approach, we analyzed the approximately 308 pages of primary source data, transcribed from the records of the interviews.

Findings

Findings were categorized into three major themes. First, financial resources and literacy, marketing, merchandising, as well as legal resources were identified as critical resources at the firm level. Second, at the individual level, four important human agency factors, including intentionality, forethought, reactiveness and reflectiveness were revealed as essential for the success of fashion entrepreneurs. Lastly, relationships and networks were highlighted at both firm and individual levels.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the understanding of fashion entrepreneurship, an understudied area. The study identified critical resources for the success of fashion startups, especially during the initial business development process. The findings also emphasized the importance of human agency factors and networks at both firm and individual levels.

中文翻译：

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确定美国成功时尚初创企业的关键资源：一项探索性研究

目的

本研究利用基于资源的理论和社会认知理论，旨在调查美国新时尚企业在业务发展的初始阶段生存所需的关键资源。它还旨在发现有助于时尚企业成功的创始人的角色和特征，以及时尚企业家面临的挑战和挣扎。

设计/方法论/途径

这项研究采用了深入的个人访谈的定性研究方法。参与者是通过有目的的抽样方法招募的。我们使用扎根理论方法，分析了从访谈记录转录而来的大约 308 页的主要来源数据。

发现

调查结果分为三大主题。首先，财务资源和素养、营销、推销以及法律资源被确定为公司层面的关键资源。其次，在个人层面，四个重要的人类代理因素，包括意向性、深思熟虑、反应性和反思性，被揭示为时尚企业家成功的关键。最后，强调了公司和个人层面的关系和网络。

原创性/价值

这项研究有助于理解时尚创业这个尚未被研究的领域。该研究确定了时尚初创企业成功的关键资源，特别是在最初的业务发展过程中。研究结果还强调了公司和个人层面的人类代理因素和网络的重要性。