Changing Social Networks of Entrepreneurs in Dutch Residential Neighbourhoods

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademicpeer-review

    Abstract

    In the modern Western world, urban residential neighbourhoods have witnessed a remarkable increase in the number of small-scale businesses, and these businesses are there to stay. For many small entrepreneurs, the neighbourhood offers both a favourable business context and strong and sustainable anchors for economic activities. Entrepreneurs and their firms are affected by the socio-economic neighbourhood characteristics and by their relationships with other local firms, entrepreneurs and residents. A thorough examination of the interdependencies between local networks and the presence and success of local firms requires large-scale longitudinal data on networks of entrepreneurs. This chapter discusses the methods and measurements that enable such examinations. It uses unique data collected among 200 entrepreneurs in Dutch residential neighbourhoods. New findings are presented on changes in the amount of (local) social capital that is present in the networks of these entrepreneurs, measured by the positions or occupations to which entrepreneurs have access. The main findings are that neighbourhood contacts seem to broaden over time, and, in particular, home-based entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs running firms that serve local markets increase their access to local social capital. The chapter concludes that future research should focus on the explanations of the changes in the social networks of (neighbourhood) entrepreneurs and on the link between the types of network change and the location strategy and success of entrepreneurs and their firms.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationEntrepreneurship in cities.
    Subtitle of host publicationNeighbourhoods, Households and Homes
    EditorsC. Mason, D. Reuschke, S. Syrett, M. van Ham
    Place of PublicationCheltenham, UK
    PublisherEdward Elgar Publishing
    Pages130-153
    Publication statusPublished - Dec 2015

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Changing Social Networks of Entrepreneurs in Dutch Residential Neighbourhoods'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this