Effects of start-up firm's social network on knowledge transfer: An empirical study

Abstract

Effective knowledge transfer from social network has been one of the crucial factors for start-up firm's survival and growth. This paper explores effects of start-up firm's social network on knowledge transfer using questionnaire survey method. Results are generated by regression method based on empirical data from Shanghai, China. The results show that start-up firm's social network structure has significant effects on knowledge transfer. High density, great centrality of start-up firm's social network can facilitate knowledge transfer from social network to start-up firm, large size of start-up firm's social network hinders knowledge transfer. Meanwhile, start-up firm's social network relation also has significant effects on knowledge transfer, strong tie, high level trust and long durable tie can facilitate knowledge transfer from social network to start-up firm.