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Business owners’ network size and business growth in China: The role of comprehensive social competency

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  • Xiang-yang Zhao
  • Michael Frese
  • Angelo Giardini

Abstract

The authors present a model that explains how comprehensive social competency (made up of three components -- social skills, proactive and elaborate social strategies, and relational perseverance) is related to business people's network development, and how social networks in turn are related to business growth. We conducted two studies with Chinese small business owners, -- one in the capital city Beijing ( N = 133) and a second one in the less developed rural region of Xunyi ( N = 78). Comprehensive social competency was consistently related to network size and business growth. In addition, government network size was related to the business growth since start-up in both studies (employee growth in Study 1 and personal asset growth in Study 2), but business network size was not related to business growth. Government network size also functions as a partial mediator between comprehensive social competency and business growth since start-up. Some differences are found between the rural area and the urban centre.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiang-yang Zhao & Michael Frese & Angelo Giardini, 2010. "Business owners’ network size and business growth in China: The role of comprehensive social competency," Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(7-8), pages 675-705, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:entreg:v:22:y:2010:i:7-8:p:675-705
    DOI: 10.1080/08985620903171376
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    1. Douglass C. North, 2005. "Introduction to Understanding the Process of Economic Change," Introductory Chapters, in: Understanding the Process of Economic Change, Princeton University Press.
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    2. Zhu, Chen & Shen, Jim Huangnan & Lee, Chien-Chiang & Liu, Shouying, 2022. "Does religion belief matter to self-employment of rural elderly? Evidence from China," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    3. Tehreem Fatima, Ahmad Raza Bilal, 2019. "Action Characteristics as a Bridge in Individual Entrepreneurial Orientation and SME Success Pathway," Journal of Management Sciences, Geist Science, Iqra University, Faculty of Business Administration, vol. 6(2), pages 1-17, October.
    4. Ahlin, Branka & Drnovšek, Mateja & Hisrich, Robert D., 2014. "Exploring the moderating effects of absorptive capacity on the relationship between social networks and innovation," Journal of East European Management Studies, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 19(2), pages 213-235.
    5. Lin, Tao & Guan, Xiaodong & Wang, Donggen, 2024. "How does social network mediate/moderate the effects of the built environment on travel behavior?," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    6. Jarle Aarstad, 2012. "Do Structural Holes and Network Connectivity Really Affect Entrepreneurial Performance?," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 21(2), pages 253-268, September.
    7. Pi-Shen Seet & Janice Jones & Lloyd Oppelaar & Graciela Corral de Zubielqui, 2018. "Beyond ‘know-what’ and ‘know-how’ to ‘know-who’: enhancing human capital with social capital in an Australian start-up accelerator," Asia Pacific Business Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(2), pages 233-260, March.
    8. Rauch, Andreas & Rosenbusch, Nina & Unger, Jens & Frese, Michael, 2016. "The effectiveness of cohesive and diversified networks: A meta-analysis," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(2), pages 554-568.
    9. Verena C. Hahn & Michael Frese & Carmen Binnewies & Antje Schmitt, 2012. "Happy and Proactive? The Role of Hedonic and Eudaimonic Well–Being in Business Owners’ Personal Initiative," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 36(1), pages 97-114, January.
    10. Wei, Yueling & Kang, Di & Wang, Yizhong, 2019. "Geography, culture, and corporate innovation," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 310-329.
    11. Mayer-Haug, Katrin & Read, Stuart & Brinckmann, Jan & Dew, Nicholas & Grichnik, Dietmar, 2013. "Entrepreneurial talent and venture performance: A meta-analytic investigation of SMEs," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 42(6), pages 1251-1273.
    12. Jayawarna, Dilani & Jones, Oswald & Marlow, Susan, 2015. "The influence of gender upon social networks and bootstrapping behaviours," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 31(3), pages 316-329.
    13. Maria Lúcia Pato & Aurora A.C. Teixeira, 2013. "Twenty years of rural entrepreneurship: a bibliometric survey," FEP Working Papers 516, Universidade do Porto, Faculdade de Economia do Porto.
    14. Kerr, Jon & Coviello, Nicole, 2020. "Weaving network theory into effectuation: A multi-level reconceptualization of effectual dynamics," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 35(2).

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