Title: Exporting entrepreneurs: do they activate their social network in different ways than domestic entrepreneurs?

Authors: Kim Klyver, Poul Rind Christensen

Addresses: University of Southern Denmark, Engstien 1, 6000 Kolding, Denmark. ' Aarhus Business School, University of Aarhus, Haslegaardsvej 10, 8210 Aarhus V, Denmark

Abstract: Based on a representative sample of entrepreneurs operating at three succeeding phases of the entrepreneurial process, this study investigates if differences in social network structures can be found between export-oriented and domestic-oriented entrepreneurs. Two hypotheses are developed based on previous research into internationalisation, including the Uppsala model and the Born Global model. Data are drawn from the Danish participation in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) and a follow-up survey in 2003. Statistical analyses indicate that export-oriented entrepreneurs activate larger personal networks with a higher proportion of business relations compared to domestic-oriented entrepreneurs. However, findings also indicate that any differences existing in the early stages of the entrepreneurial process between export- and domestic-oriented entrepreneurs tend to disappear in the later stages of the entrepreneurial process.

Keywords: activated social networks; entrepreneurial process; internationalisation; exporting entrepreneurs; small business; entrepreneurship; domestic entrepreneurs; Denmark; personal networks; business relations; globalisation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGSB.2007.015481

International Journal of Globalisation and Small Business, 2007 Vol.2 No.2, pp.185 - 204

Published online: 19 Oct 2007 *

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