Local formal interpersonal networks and SMEs internationalisation: Empirical evidence from the UK

Abstract

This article uses data from the UK Longitudinal Small Business Survey (2015) to empirically test the relationship between local (formal and informal) interpersonal networks and exporting. Our results suggest that local interpersonal networks increase the likelihood of exporting. More importantly, we find that the role of formal interpersonal networks (e.g. accountants) on internationalisation increases as firm size increases, while the link between informal interpersonal networks (e.g. family) and exporting becomes weaker. We argue that larger firms have more complex operations and diverse structures than smaller firms that require the engagement of formal interpersonal networks to help with the internationalisation process.

Publication DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibusrev.2017.10.010
Divisions: College of Business and Social Sciences > Aston Business School > Economics, Finance & Entrepreneurship
College of Business and Social Sciences > Aston Business School
Additional Information: © 2017, Elsevier. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Uncontrolled Keywords: Interpersonal networks,Formal networks,informal networks,SMEs,internationalisation,exporting
Publication ISSN: 1873-6149
Last Modified: 08 Jan 2024 09:19
Date Deposited: 07 Oct 2019 12:38
Full Text Link: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/65727/
Related URLs: https://www.sci ... 969593117304699 (Publisher URL)
PURE Output Type: Article
Published Date: 2018-06-01
Published Online Date: 2017-11-16
Accepted Date: 2017-10-28
Authors: Idris, Bochra (ORCID Profile 0000-0001-6521-7858)
Saridakis, George

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