Antwerp Centre for Entrepreneurship Research

Research Seminar“Regional small businesses’ personal and inter-firm networks”

by K. Brown and J. Sharafizad

RESEARCH SEMINAR - “Regional small businesses’ personal and inter-firm networks” by K. Brown and J. Sharafizad  on Thursday 29 June

You are cordially invited for the research seminar “Regional small businesses’ personal and inter-firm networks” by K. Brown and J. Sharafizad on Thursday 29 June at 10 am in room C.104. 

Sharafizad, J., & Brown, K. (2020). Regional small businesses’ personal and inter-firm networks. Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, 35(12), 1957-1969.

Abstract

The purpose of this presentation is to highlight the results of a study into the role of personal and inter-firm networks, and the elements that contribute to the formation and management of these networks for regional small businesses. We used semi-structured interviews with 20 small business owners located in regional areas as our empirical data. The findings show key characteristics of regional small business owners’ networks. We found participants relied strongly on their personal networks for business purposes. This study finds that while personal networks adapted and changed into informal inter-firm networks, weak-tie relations within inter-firm networks were unlikely to develop into close personal networks. Novel findings also included a preference for ‘regional interactions’ and included regular collaboration with local business competitors. Although the participants used social media to manage their business through personal networks, results confirmed there was a lack of awareness of the benefits of inter-firm networks with businesses outside the local region. This research adds to the evolution of existing knowledge by expanding understanding of the formation of business networks and conditions of business trust relations within a regional context.  

Presenters

Dr Jalleh Sharafizad is a senior lecturer in Business Services in the School of Business and Law at the Edith Cowan University. Professor Kerry Brown is the Professor of Employment and Industry at Edith Cowan University has extensive experience in negotiation, networking, and collaboration. As recognized researchers in the field of entrepreneurship, both Professor Kerry Brown and Dr Jalleh Sharafizad work closely with industry and business associations to build up capabilities for all businesses within Western Australia and beyond.