The Impact of Entrepreneurs’ Social Capital on Innovation Performance in Chinese Small and Medium-sized Technological Enterprises : Knowledge Acquisition as a Mediating Variable

Abstract

Entrepreneurs’ social capital (internal and external) refers to the extensive social relationship network established, developed and maintained by entrepreneurs inside and outside the enterprise. Based on the data of 506 entrepreneurs’ social capital collected through questionnaires, this study explores the impact of entrepreneurs’ social capital (internal and external) on knowledge acquisition and innovation performance in China’s SMTEs (Small and Medium-sized Technological Enterprises). The results show that the entrepreneurs’ social capital (internal and external) and knowledge acquisition have a significant positive impact on the innovation performance of Chinese SMTEs. Meanwhile, knowledge acquisition plays a mediating role in the relationship between entrepreneurs’ social capital and innovation performance.