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Formal business networking and SME growth

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  • Bilitis Schoonjans
  • Philippe Cauwenberge
  • Heidi Bauwhede

Abstract

This paper provides new empirical evidence on the impact of formal business networking on small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) growth. Using a large, unbalanced panel data set of Flemish SMEs over the period 1992–2008, we examine whether participation in a government-supported program aimed at providing small business managers with structured formal networking contacts is associated with SME growth. Our results suggest that formal business networking is significantly positively correlated with net asset and added value growth. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. 2013

Suggested Citation

  • Bilitis Schoonjans & Philippe Cauwenberge & Heidi Bauwhede, 2013. "Formal business networking and SME growth," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 41(1), pages 169-181, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:sbusec:v:41:y:2013:i:1:p:169-181
    DOI: 10.1007/s11187-011-9408-6
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Growth; Networking; SMEs; L14; L25; L26;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L14 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Transactional Relationships; Contracts and Reputation
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship

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