Title: From social capital to human resource development: a cross cultural study of the role of HRM in innovation and entrepreneurship in high technology organisations

Authors: Nareatha Studdard, Roger Darby

Addresses: Arkansas State University, Department of Management & Marketing, PO Box 59, State University, AR 72467, USA. ' Department of Defence Mgt. and Security Analysis, Cranfield University, Defence Academy of the UK, Shrivenham, SN6 8LA, UK

Abstract: This research provides an examination of high technology entrepreneurial firms and how they obtain knowledge on human resource management (HRM). Specifically, it seeks to determine the social relationship between the firm and the incubator manager and if any knowledge on HRM is acquired during this relationship. The question of how HRM can play an important role in the management of entrepreneurial behaviour in new ventures is addressed. Using a sample of 52 high technology firms based within the United States and Finland, key variables, including technological competence, reputation, relational quality and human resource management, were identified. Survey data indicated that enhanced relational quality between firms and the incubator manager increased the acquisition of human resource knowledge, thereby increasing the firm|s perceived marketplace reputation and technical competence.

Keywords: entrepreneurship; human resource management; knowledge management; relationship quality; social capital; human resource development; HRD; HRM; cross-cultural study; innovation; high technology; high tech organisations; incubator managers; new ventures; United States; USA; Finland.

DOI: 10.1504/EJIM.2008.019700

European Journal of International Management, 2008 Vol.2 No.3, pp.333 - 355

Published online: 22 Jul 2008 *

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