When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do.

Social network structures significantly impact business opportunity recognition, but existing evidence reveals that not all social network structures work in favor. This study examines the effects of international entrepreneurs' network centrality and constraints on opportunity recognition in a host country. Also, it analyzes the contextual mechanism of the home country's cultural tightness and looseness on the relationships between network structures and opportunity recognition. This study employs a quantitative research approach and used survey data of 220 international entrepreneurs from China. The data was analyzed using multiple regression analysis. This research finds that international entrepreneurs' network centrality (not the network constraints) in the host country positively contributes to opportunity recognition. Furthermore, we suggest that international entrepreneurs' home country cultural tightness negatively moderates the relationship between network centrality and opportunity recognition. This study illuminates the literature on international entrepreneurship and social networks by offering a novel understanding of international entrepreneurs' social networks and opportunity recognition in China. It has research and practice implications for international entrepreneurship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]