A further element of our framework points to the role of
structural holes in the past that predict the formation of
current structural holes. We characterized this as another
manifestation of opportunity exploitation by the focal actor.
In our inherently temporary context, however, this idea
implies a purposeful reactivation of favorable past structures
and therefore is quite different from the notion of structural
persistence. This fi nding means that structural holes spanned
by individual specialists in the past give rise to future
structural holes for the team of which they are now a part
and demonstrates the strength of the focal team’s ability to
exploit the opportunities that result in favorable social
structures.