From constraints to culture: how bootstrapping influences the cultural embedding of creatives behaviors within startups
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2025-07-07
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en
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This research examines how creative behavior, triggered by the use of bootstrapping techniques, becomes embedded into a creative culture within startups. While existing literature has acknowledged that resource constraints can drive the emergence of creative behaviors, little is known about how this behavior can get culturally embedded within startups. To address this, a qualitative multiple-case study design was employed involving four Dutch startups that relied on bootstrapping techniques. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with both founders and organizational members. The findings of this research suggest that the use of bootstrapping techniques created a context in which creative behaviors emerged in reaction to resource constraints. However, the embedding of this behavior into a creative culture was not automatic. For these behaviors to become enacted by organizational members, enabling conditions such as autonomy, psychological safety, and encouragement should be present. The transition from individual and situational creative behaviors towards a shared and expected part of the startup’s organizational culture occurred through a multi-phased embedding process. Leadership moderated this process by encouraging, recognizing, and reinforcing creative behaviors. Peer reinforcement further contributed to embedding creative behavior into the startup’s organizational culture beyond direct founder influence. These findings suggest that under the right conditions, bootstrapping can function as a catalyst that can drive the embedding of creative behavior into a creative culture. Accordingly, this research offers contributions to the understanding of how resource constraints can influence the embedding of creative cultures and provides practical insights for startups aiming to embed creative behaviors into their organizational culture.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen