Universities, SMEs and social capital: Can you get too much of a good thing? An illustrative analysis of one university's knowledge exchange programme. (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gordon, Ian
• Is Part Of: Industry & higher education. Volume 30:Number 6(2016)
• Page Start: 382
• Page End: 393
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Gold Programme -- knowledge exchange -- SMEs -- social capital -- social networks; Business and education -- Periodicals; University cooperation -- Periodicals; 378.104
• DOI: 10.1177/0950422216670491
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-4222

Abstract

This article explores a university knowledge exchange programme for small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owner-managers. Specifically, it considers why a programme designed to achieve growth in a group of SMEs through the creation of a network high in social capital may have become a constraint on the programme's effectiveness over a period of 5 years. The article presents findings from ethnographic observation and interviews with eight participants. The main findings suggest that university facilitators should guard against becoming part of a strong tie network of delegates, which in this case may have resulted in a reduction in their ability to bridge to other groups and networks. In addition, without the periodical introduction of new activities, there is the danger that the group will become stale.