Social Capital and Entrepreneurial Performance of SMEs: The Mediating Role of Access to Entrepreneurial Resources

Abstract

This study is conducted to explain entrepreneurial support resources of firms based on social network theory in developing countries, the case of Vietnam. Partial Least Squares Structural Modeling (PLS-SEM) was conducted with a sample size of 220 entrepreneurs in SMEs. The results supported the positive link between formal and informal networks and entrepreneurial firm performance. Second, the study explored the partial mediating role of access to entrepreneurial resources between formal networks, informal networks, and entrepreneurial firm performance. In addition, the results also provide practical value to entrepreneurs in actively building relationship networking in the entrepreneurship ecosystem. Finally, the study proposed some implications for entrepreneurs, limitations, and further research.

Keywords

• access to entrepreneurial resources
• entrepreneurial firm performance
• social capital
• formal networks
• informal networks
• smes