Network effects of interlocking directorates: A longitudinal study of SMEs’ international growth

Beskrivning

This research examines the neglected type of network tie (i.e., interlocking directorates) and its effect on international growth of Swedish SMEs. We use a unique longitudinal dataset to develop and test a dynamic model on the role of network position in SMEs internationalization.

In the contemporary networked economy, it is almost axiomatic to argue that no firm is a single island. The importance of network relationships for Small and Medium Enterprises’ (SMEs’) international growth is well documented in past literature. In this project, we aim to complement this research by looking at the neglected role of a specific type of network tie (i.e., interlocking directorates) in SMEs’ internationalization. We believe that paying due attention to individual-level sources of network relationships and their dynamic effect on international growth of SMEs is important, and makes valuable contributions to theory and practice in several ways.