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Social Networking and Opportunity Recognition: A Focus on Internationalised Firms in South Africa

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  • Boris Urban

Abstract

Social networks serve as an important source for new business opportunities in foreign markets and are considered as one of the most significant resources for the internationalising firm in emerging markets. This article empirically examines how internationalised firms in under-researched African context access and use social networks to increase their recognition of opportunities. Hypotheses are formulated based on several social networking principles and are tested statistically. The findings highlight that interacting with international contacts more fre-quently is associated with higher levels of opportunity recognition when compared to firms with fewer interactions. Additionally, internationalised firms tend to spend more time developing and maintaining contacts which are associated with higher levels of opportunity recognition. The article makes a contribution to the international entrepreneurship literature by demonstrating that multiple social networking factors will raise the level of opportunity recognition for internationalised firms in South Africa.

Suggested Citation

  • Boris Urban, 2019. "Social Networking and Opportunity Recognition: A Focus on Internationalised Firms in South Africa," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 28(2), pages 295-315, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jouent:v:28:y:2019:i:2:p:295-315
    DOI: 10.1177/0971355719851907
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    1. Elisabete SILVA & Hugo SOARES & José Duarte SANTOS & Fernando ALMEIDA, 2020. "THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN PORTUGUESE SMEs," Management and Marketing Journal, University of Craiova, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, vol. 0(2), pages 99-116, November.

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