The interaction effects of sparse and interlocked connections in SMEs clusters

Liang, L

Abstract

This study aims to exarnine the relationship between the structures of inter- organisation connections and innovation results in the context of small and medium
enterprises (SMEs).
Existing literature shows that SMEs can benefit from inter- organisation connections in SNEs development. However: there is a theoretical gap in
how a combination of various structures of inter-organisation connections affects
SMEs development results. In other words: the theoretical gap in this area is what
structures of inter-firm connections can be more beneficial than the others. Thus, this
study adopts the network theory and network analysis to explore the effects of
network structures on SMEs performances in their development.
To close this gap, network theory is employed to support this study's hypotheses.
Then, this study uses network analysis to generate network snapshots and test
proposed hypotheses. Complementary to prior research, this study suggests that SMEs
development results can benefit from having sparse connections, interlocked
connections, centrality, and brokerage in their networks. Also, in contrast to prior
research, this study emphasizes the influences of these four inter-firm connection
structures, sparse connections, interlocked connections, centrality, and brokerage.

Citation

Liang, L. The interaction effects of sparse and interlocked connections in SMEs clusters. (Thesis). University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: May 7, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: May 7, 2020
• Award Date: Jan 1, 2020