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The purpose of this paper is to show how self-regulation influences the relationship between nascent entrepreneurial exploitation activities, firm birth and firm abandonment.

This study draws from a unique longitudinal dataset of 181 nascent entrepreneurs from Switzerland who have been interviewed by phone in 2015 and 2016. It uses a moderated binary logistic regression to test the hypotheses.

This study provides evidence that discrepancies in promotion orientation can explain different ways exploitation can lead to an increased likelihood of firm birth and a decreased likelihood of firm abandonment while respectively increasing persistence. Findings suggest that this is attributed to the regulatory fit between a promotion orientation and exploitation activities.

For scholars, our findings provide insights into reasons for entrepreneurial persistence, as well as how firm birth can be achieved with different levels of exploitation activities.

This study provides entrepreneurs with information on how to increase their persistence as well as the likelihood of firm birth while considering their regulatory focus.

Based on regulatory focus theory, this paper highlights different paths to firm birth with varying quantity of exploitation activities. We contribute to a greater understanding of firm emergence by accounting for the impact of regulatory foci.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the intentional formation of business networks in the wastewater industry. It enriches the theory‐building of the formation of business networks by drawing on theoretical contributions to business networks and capabilities. The paper describes, assesses and predicts scenarios relevant to the formation of business networks in the wastewater industry.

The research methodology employed is based on multiple sources of data in a multi‐method design, interpreting potential scenarios of business networks.

The findings reveal that water scarcity, population growth and economic constrains jeopardize existing business networks in the wastewater industry. Two potential scenarios: re‐inventing the centralized system through on‐site systems for mass‐markets; and expanding on‐site systems into mass‐markets seem realizable. A comparison of the two scenarios suggests that the first scenario is in a superior position to utilize the business opportunities offered.

Research limitations arise from the qualitative nature of the research undertaken.

Capability alignments and barriers suggest that the re‐inventing the centralized system through on‐site systems for mass‐markets scenario, is the most suitable for implementation. The knowledge gained allows managers to outline a specific approach for developing the capabilities required, in order to take advantage of the alignments and overcome the barriers that may exist.

The paper highlights that building theories of business networks may benefit from combining the formation of business networks with dynamic and operational capabilities.