Social networks and relationships in copreneurial firms: an international study

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Galloway ◽  
John W. Sanders ◽  
Jo Bensemann ◽  
Alexei Tretiakov
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Small Firms ◽  
Family Firms ◽  
International Study ◽  
Social Network Theory ◽  
Small Unit ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis article explores the small unit of family business – being in business with one's spouse – in Scotland and New Zealand. With reference to social network theory, the research explores if the strong married relationship enhances business or inhibits it due to a hypothesised limiting effect on access to external networks. The paper thus measures the impact of networks on copreneurial business performance and explores perceptions of the copreneurial experience.Design/methodology/approachThe research applies a mixed methodology. First, a quantitative sample of 301 small firms in Scotland and New Zealand is tested for variation in performance and social network reach between copreneurial, other types of family firms and firms with no family links. Thereafter, a qualitative study explores the experience of 101 copreneurs in the two countries, to which a thematic analysis is applied.FindingsNetworks are shown to be central influences on performance, but the paper finds no performance or network reach variation between copreneurial and other business. Nevertheless, copreneurship is perceived both positively and negatively by practitioners and testimonies include explicit reference to strategies to manage home/work tensions.Originality/valueThe paper contributes new data on performance in copreneurial firms in two international locations. Viewed through a social network theory lens, the research shows the utility of networks to business, family or otherwise. The paper also shows that the work/family interface in copreneurial firms is perceived both as an advantage and as a challenge and so requires careful management.

Alliance portfolios and firm performance: the moderating role of environmental dynamics

2017 ◽  
Vol 117 (8) ◽  
pp. 1550-1566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoyan Wang ◽  
Haijun Bao
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Social Network Theory ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Moderating Role ◽  
Alliance Portfolios

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to focus on the operation strategy of high-performance alliance portfolios by analyzing the effect of alliance portfolios on the performance of focal firms, using post-structuralism of social network theory and contingency theory. In detail, this paper refines alliance portfolios into three dimensions, and studies the moderating role of context on the relation between alliance portfolios and firm performance. Design/methodology/approach The empirical study was carried out with second-hand data gathered from Internal Revenue Service. In total, this paper gathered data from 506 focal firms in Zhejiang Province from 2001 to 2010 as the sample to test the hypotheses. Findings Based on the empirical results, the authors find the positive effect of relational dimension (weak alliance portfolios) and partner dimension (the diversity of partners) on performance. The effect of the former will become weaker with the increasing environmental dynamic, while the effect of the latter will become stronger. However, the structural dimension (alliance portfolios size) and relational dimension (new partners) have the negative effect on performance. And the negative effect will become stronger under high environmental dynamic. Moreover, the negative effect of non-local partners on performance becomes stronger when the environmental dynamic is high. Research limitations/implications The paper reveals that with the industry transformation caused by “internet +,” companies have been required go beyond traditional dyadic alliance management perspective. That is to say, individual alliance relationship should be seen as a part of a much broader picture of alliance portfolio. As such, the framework may help companies to manage their alliance portfolios by matching high-performance alliance portfolios to the external environment to produce a synergistic effect (Lea et al., 2006; Tritos et al., 2013; Keith et al., 2014) taking the characteristics of the configuration of alliance portfolios into consideration. Originality/value The paper presents a model that explains the effect of three dimensions of alliance portfolios on the performance of focal firms in different contexts through empirical study. This paper also integrates post-structuralism of social network theory and contingency theory to enable the understanding on the configuration of alliance portfolios.

Migration and outward FDI: a double direction approach

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 240-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Alcaraz ◽  
Elizabeth Salamanca
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Latin America ◽  
Social Network ◽  
North America ◽  
International Migration ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Social Network Theory ◽  
Best Interests ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify, based on social network theory, the relationship between the direction of international migration (immigration/emigration) and the international movement of enterprises and their location. Design/methodology/approach A traditional gravity model and the Tobit estimation method are applied to three groups of countries from three different regions: Latin America, North America and the European Union. The study considers a period from 2001 to 2012. Findings The main results suggest that the international migration that goes from the European Union and North America to Latin America is related with the firms’ internationalization and their respective location. Practical implications Given that migration can be an important and reliable source of information, trust and knowledge, managers should see it as a “bridge” between the home and host countries, which, in turn, can increase their competitive advantage. Social implications Governments can learn how migration and outward foreign direct investment interact. In addition, they could develop political frameworks to accurately and effectively manage international migration (immigration and emigration) and FDI in the best interests of the stakeholders. Originality/value This study extends the social network theory by suggesting that networks are not only related with firms’ expansion abroad but as well with their location. This statement could be generalizable as long as emigration/networks (ethnic ties) are considered the links between the home and the host country.

The antecedents of creative article diffusion on blogs

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsiu-Hua Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Innovation Diffusion ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Diffusion Theory ◽  
Social Network Theory ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Network Data ◽  
Innovation Diffusion Theory ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Bloggers often create digital content. Diffusion of the creative articles can make many bloggers or readers visit blog platforms. Restated, diffusion of the creative articles can assist blog service providers (BSPs) to retain bloggers and attract new bloggers. Thus, the research is conducted on creative article diffusion on blogs based on innovation diffusion theory and social network theory. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach In this study, an information system was used to collect 250 creative articles and social network data of these creative articles. Validity of the specific study hypotheses is tested by using multi-regression analysis. Findings Analytical results indicate both observability and network density positively affect creative article diffusion, and ties-strength negatively affects creative article diffusion. Research limitations/implications Since the interpersonal interactive mechanism of blogs differs from that of social network websites, bloggers establish different social networks which may influence innovation diffusion. However, different websites may have different interpersonal interactive mechanisms. Therefore, the results of this study should not be over-generalized. Practical implications For diffusing information, BSPs may focus on blog articles with trackback rate below 10 percent among the friends-bloggers network and advertise these articles to make their trackback rate increase to 10-20 percent to reach the self-sustaining status. This strategy ensures the largest payoff from creative article diffusion. Originality/value This study contributes to the knowledge of social network and innovation diffusion on blog website and develops a model explaining how antecedents influence creative article diffusion.

scholarly journals An Appraisal of Social Network Theory and Analysis as Applied to Public Health: Challenges and Opportunities

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas W. Valente ◽  
Stephanie R. Pitts
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Social Network Theory ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Public Health Challenges ◽  
New Research ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Behavioral Influences

The use of social network theory and analysis methods as applied to public health has expanded greatly in the past decade, yielding a significant academic literature that spans almost every conceivable health issue. This review identifies several important theoretical challenges that confront the field but also provides opportunities for new research. These challenges include (a) measuring network influences, (b) identifying appropriate influence mechanisms, (c) the impact of social media and computerized communications, (d) the role of networks in evaluating public health interventions, and (e) ethics. Next steps for the field are outlined and the need for funding is emphasized. Recently developed network analysis techniques, technological innovations in communication, and changes in theoretical perspectives to include a focus on social and environmental behavioral influences have created opportunities for new theory and ever broader application of social networks to public health topics.

Foregrounding the role of relationships in reform

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 819-837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi-Hwa Liou ◽  
Alan J. Daly ◽  
Chris Brown ◽  
Miguel del Fresno
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Educational Leadership ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Social Network Theory ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Social Aspect ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – The role of relationships in the process of leadership and change is central, yet the social aspect of the work of reform is often background in favor of more technical approaches to improvement. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to argue that social network theory and analysis provides a useful theory and set of tools to unpack the complex social work of leadership. Design/methodology/approach – In this paper the authors begin by reviewing social network theory in education to date. The authors identify strengths and gap areas and use findings and data from existing social network studies of educational leadership to highlight major concepts. Findings – Along with empirical examples, the paper proposes four important strands of social network analysis for future research in educational leadership: multiplex networks; multi-mode networks; longitudinal networks; and real time networks. Originality/value – This paper builds on recent scholarship using social network analysis in educational leadership and suggests that social network theory and methods provides unique and important analytic purchase in the study of educational leadership.

Social capital dimensions and employee creativity: Does cognitive style matter?

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-21
Author(s):  
Rahma Oussi ◽  
Wafi Chtourou
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Cognitive Style ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Social Network Theory ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Structural Dimension ◽  
Employee Creativity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social

Purpose This study aims to investigate the theoretical limitations of the social network theory applied on employee creativity. Design/methodology/approach By combining the social network theory and componential model of creativity, this study studies the possible impact of social capital through its three dimensions (structural, relational and cognitive dimension) on individual creativity, to explore then the moderating effect of cognitive style as individual characteristic on the structural dimension of social capital such weak ties and employee creativity. Findings The results show that, on a sample of 95 employees belonging to four companies in the IT sector, predictions based on the social network theory are only weakly verified. Indeed, the relational and cognitive dimensions of social capital do not have a significant impact on individual creativity. Originality/value Based on Kim et al.’s (2016) call for future research, this study extends the assumptions of the social network theory announcing that social capital through its structural dimension may have an identical impact on individual creativity in all circumstances.

Ethnic networks and multinational firms’ location decisions

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-298
Author(s):  
Jorge Alcaraz ◽  
Elizabeth Salamanca ◽  
Otto Regalado-Pezúa
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Social Network ◽  
North America ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Social Network Theory ◽  
Location Decisions ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ethnic Networks

Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify the effect of ethnic networks on firms’ location decisions using social network theory and the homophily principle. Design/methodology/approach A traditional gravity model is used on a sample composed of high-skilled and low-skilled ethnic networks and multinational enterprises (MNEs) from Latin America, North America and the European Union. Findings Contrary to findings of previous studies, ethnic networks do not appear to influence location decisions of Latin American firms expanding into countries from North America and the European Union. This might be because of weak ethnic connections among the players. Practical implications Managers must be aware that ethnic networks not always can be used for the strategy of the firm, at least regarding location. Social implications Governments and entrepreneurial and immigrant associations from home and host countries could develop initiatives addressed to strengthening the links between the members of the networks. Originality/value This study extends the social network theory in the sense that ethnic networks do not always positively affect firms’ location. Moreover, it is important to consider the specific context or features of the members of a network before analyzing its effects on firms’ location.

Using social network theory to elucidate the impact of diversity on the social processes in design

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Torres ◽  
Carla B. Zoltowski ◽  
Patrice M. Buzzanell ◽  
Megan Kenny Feister ◽  
William C. Oakes
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Social Processes ◽  
Social Network Theory ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact

Consumer behavior in the online context

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 169-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon Cummins ◽  
James W. Peltier ◽  
John A. Schibrowsky ◽  
Alexander Nill
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Consumer Behavior ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Network Theory ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
User Generated Content ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Online Consumer Behavior ◽  
Online Consumer

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to review the consumer behavior and social network theory literature related to the online and e-commerce context. Design/methodology/approach – To conduct the review, the authors draw on a sample of 942 articles published from 1993 to 2012 addressing consumer behavior or social network issues in the online or social media context. The sample is analyzed by both era (incubation, expansion and explosion) and primary topic. Findings – Eight categories of online consumer behavior research are described. In the order from largest to smallest, these are: cognitive issues, user-generated content, Internet demographics and segmentation, online usage, cross cultural, online communities and networks, strategic use and outcomes and consumer Internet search. Originality/value – The literature has been summarized in each category and research opportunities have been offered for consumer behavior and social network scholars interested in exploring the online context.

The role of social media in e-recruitment process: empirical evidence from developing countries in social network theory

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mushfiqur Rahman ◽  
Erhan Aydin ◽  
Mohamed Haffar ◽  
Uzoechi Nwagbara
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Social Network Theory ◽  
Dark Side ◽  
Recruitment Process ◽  
Productivity Cost ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThis study aims at demonstrating how social media shape the recruitment and selection processes of individuals in developing countries. It further explores the impacts of social media on business productivity, cost efficiency, widening of search, less employee turnover and competitive advantage mediated by adopting e-recruitment processes. This research adopts social network theory to discuss the findings and highlight the new mechanisms that legitimise business manipulation in e-recruitment process by exploring the usage of social media.Design/methodology/approachSecondary data based on literature review is triangulated with 37 semi-structured qualitative interviews with managerial and non-managerial members of staff.FindingsThe findings show that e-recruitment has immense advantages to businesses. However, the authors also consider the dark side of social media and e-recruitment process by considering social network theory as a manipulation tool in organisations of developing countries.Originality/valueHaving adopted the social network theory, this research highlights the new mechanisms that legitimise business manipulation in e-recruitment process. Thus, it demonstrates technological advancements that reshape the dynamics of social networks and recruitment processes.

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