Abstract:

Under the conditions of limited resources and asymmetric information, how new ventures act to gain legitimacy is a difficult problem. Studies have shown that symbolic actions are characterized by high flexibility and low cost, which can help new ventures obtain resources. However, there is no consensus conclusion in the theoretical circle on whether symbolic action can help new ventures obtain legitimacy, and relevant studies have not provided empirical evidence to prove the relationship between the two. Based on this, this paper first developed a measurement scale for symbolic action. Then, based on the signaling theory, it empirically studied the impact of symbolic action on the legitimacy of new ventures and their boundary conditions. The analysis of self-reported questionnaires of 211 entrepreneurs shows that symbolic actions can significantly promote the legitimacy of new ventures. Environmental munificence plays a moderating role between symbolic actions and the acquisition of the legitimacy of new ventures. In a low environmental munificence, the effect of symbolic actions on the legitimacy of new ventures is more significant. The conclusions of this paper deepen the research of symbolic action and provide management practice enlightenment for new ventures to obtain legitimacy.

Key words:

new ventures, signaling theory, symbolic action, organizational legitimacy, environmental munificence

摘要：

在资源有限且信息不对称的条件下，新创企业如何行动以获得合法性是一个棘手的难题。研究表明，象征性行动具有高灵活性和低成本等特征，能够帮助新创企业获得资源。然而，理论界关于象征性行动与新创企业合法性之间的关系未达成一致的结论，相关研究也未提供实证证据。基于此，首先开发了象征性行动的测量量表，然后基于信号理论，实证研究了象征性行动对新创企业合法性的影响及其边界条件。借助211份创业者自陈问卷，研究结果表明：象征性行动能显著促进新创企业的合法性；环境宽松性在象征性行动和新创企业合法性之间起到调节作用，环境越不宽松，象征性行动对新创企业合法性的作用效果越加显著。研究结论不仅深化了象征性行动的研究成果，而且为新创企业如何获得合法性提供了管理启示。

关键词:

新创企业, 信号理论, 象征性行动, 组织合法性, 环境宽松性