The role of networking in the growth process of entrepreneurial family firms.

Drakopoulou Dodd, Sarah; Anderson, Alistair; Jack, Sarah

Abstract

We investigate the role of networks in the growth processes of the entrepreneurial family firm. The study adds to two main stream of literature, drawing together theoretical developments from the family firm realm and networking theory, to investigate the ways in which these structures and processes interact to facilitate and inhibit entrepreneurial growth. The chapter also draws on international field data, thus adding to our knowledge of the context-specific nature of entrepreneurial growth processes, family firms, and networking. Growth strategies for many of the studied family firms tended to be driven by resources available within the family-firm nexus. In many cases, market and technology evaluation took place through quite formal, 'professional' mechanisms. The use of weak-ties, which has come to be seen of diminished importance for non-family entrepreneurs, appeared more significant for family-firm growth.

Citation

DRAKOPOULOU DODD, S., ANDERSON, A. and JACK, S. 2015. The role of networking in the growth process of entrepreneurial family firms. In Randerson, K., Bettinelli, C., Dossena, G. and Fayolle, A. (eds.) Family entrepreneurship: rethinking the research agenda. Abingdon: Routledge [online], chapter 10, pages 212-238. Available at: https://www.routledge.com/Family-Entrepreneurship-Rethinking-the-research-agenda/Randerson-Bettinelli-Dossena-Fayolle/p/book/9781138841192

• Online Publication Date: Dec 14, 2015
• Publication Date: Dec 14, 2015
• Deposit Date: Jul 25, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 25, 2017
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
• Pages: 212-238
• Series Title: Routledge rethinking entrepreneurship research
• Book Title: Family entrepreneurship: rethinking the research agenda
• Chapter Number: Chapter 10
• ISBN: 9781138841192
• Keywords: Family owned business; Networking; Entrepreneurship; Venture growth; International entrepreneurship
• Public URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10059/2417
• Publisher URL: https://www.routledge.com/Family-Entrepreneurship-Rethinking-the-research-agenda/Randerson-Bettinelli-Dossena-Fayolle/p/book/9781138841192