Will financiers change their network behaviour?

Abstract

Interviews with experienced financiers in global financial centres reveal the strategic network behaviour they employ to access social capital, thus enhancing their performance. While the interview results match many theoretical expectations, the findings also raise intriguing questions for future research. Financiers’ cohesive networks are open networks because each member has external network ties. The small-world phenomena of financiers’ networks is extraordinary. Experienced financiers reach targeted contacts across global financial centres with, at most, one referral. The significance of trust to financiers’ network behaviour is succinctly captured by the phrase ‘It’s all about trust.’ The deep-seated feelings about trust need more research. Neither telecommunications technologies nor adjustments to workplace or long-distance travel will alter the fundamental behavioural principles of financiers’ network behaviour. Fintech mostly impacts their business indirectly. Senior financiers, similar to those interviewed for this book, will continue to operate from the pivotal global financial centres as networked financiers.