The impact of entrepreneur's social capital on knowledge transfer in Chinese high-tech firms: the mediating effects of absorptive capacity and guanxi development

Abstract

Knowledge-based view of the firm advocates knowledge as a source of sustainable competitive advantage and as being extremely critical for high-tech firms since their success or even survival demands knowledge be continually replenished. However, Chinese high-tech firms in general lack knowledge. So, it is important for them to transfer knowledge from all kinds of sources. Given their initial stage of growth, low absorptive capacities, and incomprehensive institutional support, how can Chinese high-tech firms succeed? This paper explores the powerful effects of Chinese entrepreneur's social capital, dimensioned as shared vision, social interaction ties, and trustworthiness, on the success of knowledge transfer by the mediating roles of guanxi development and absorptive capacity, which is very characteristic of the current status of Chinese high-tech firms.