Effect of entrepreneurial networks on small firm performance in Kamrup, a district of Assam

Abstract

The study is an attempt to examine the potential impact of entrepreneurial networks on small firm performance with the help of primary data. Dimensions of entrepreneurial networks used in this study are network structure (size, density and centrality) and network types (competitive and supportive). The population of the study consists of small firms of Kamrup a district of Assam. The analysis is done with the help of hierarchical regression model. The results reveal that network density and centrality have a positive impact on firm performance. However competitive and supportive network is not significant. The idea is to understand how small firm performances are important for policy makers, business advisors and other stakeholders to serve the business sector in a better way.

The Impact of Entrepreneurial Networks on The Performance of Small Business in Nigeria

“…The term "entrepreneurial network" refers to entrepreneurs, who are organized, formally, or formally to increase the efficiency of the members' business activities (Das, & Goswami, 2019). According to Ritter & Gemunden (2003), network competence is a firm's ability to utilize, manage, and manipulate inter-organizational relationships.…”

“…Also, there is economic of scale of hiring professional, like Accountant, Tax consultant, Human resources specialist, Digital marketing consultant and other professionals to provide service for the members of the network group at concessionary fees, rather than individual members of the network engaging these professionals on their own which may be costlier. (Das & Goswami, 2019). Networking helps to overcome the disadvantages of the small size, as it allows building relationships with others.…”

“…Toivola (2005) asserted that business networking is cooperation, a social process, where knowledge, know-how, and value are combined into a value-adding action. Small firms need resources and assistance from outsiders such as other firms, supporting institutions, including family and friends (Das & Goswami, 2019). Networking is generally seen as an essential mechanism for SMEs to overcome their relative disadvantage by leveraging knowledge and resources (Crowley, McAdam, Cunningham, & Hilliard, 2018).…”

Impact of Social Capital (SC) on Business Performance (BP) of Muslim Women Entrepreneurs (MWEs) in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka (EPSL)

“…finding new business opportunities, making business start-up decision, and resource mobilisation process which enhances greater achievement in their businesses. Similarly, externally built up social relationships also create much enhanced networks to work with out of the family to find new resources and opportunities (Das & Goswari (2019). However, both recognition and realisation of opportunity are conditioned by the role of the Muslim women entrepreneurs in their social structure.…”

“…Today, women enter into almost all of the fields such as trade and industry, engineering, information and technology and contribute for the national economic development by means of showing outstanding achievement in their business initiative all over the world. According to Das and Goswari (2019), women entrepreneurs have fewer connections with outside networks as compared with males and males are more capable of maintaining connections with outside people which creates them to access with more business opportunities than women. As a result of underprivileged networking, women are kept in a position where they are unable to have more professional connections which can adversely affect their businesses in the long run.…”