Business Networking and Social Cohesion among Business Community in Malaysia

Background: Business network is a social capital component that is owned and shared with the business community members. This network is examined through relationships and engagements between families and members of the business community as well as outside the community. Business networking and community collaboration are seen in the business community engagement with activities carried out and engagement in organizations that benefit the community. Business networks help to improve the efficiency of the business community by facilitating coordination and actions for mutual benefits as well as impacts on the business community. Objective: The objective of this study is to explore the dimensions of business networking used by the business community from various ethnic groups as well as to examine the impacts of business networking on the social cohesion in Malaysia. Results: The social relationship and trust among the business community are the dimensions and indicators in identifying the social capital in the business networking. There is a significant relationship between the business network and the social cohesion among the Malay, Chinese, Indian and Bumiputera respondents. The business networking did affect the respondents’ social cohesion in Malaysia. Conclusion: The dimensions of business networking in the social capital have helped Malaysian business community to remain their social cohesiveness with the support from government agencies in terms of marketing products and capital. Thus, the impacts of business networking on the social cohesion in Malaysia are positive and significant.