Title: Factors influencing the stocks and flows of bonding social capital in family firms

Authors: Daniela Montemerlo, Pramodita Sharma

Addresses: University of Insubria, Via Monte Generoso, 71, 21100 Varese, Italy; SDA Bocconi School of Management, Via Bocconi, 8-20136 Milan, Italy. ' Concordia University and Babson College, 1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W, Montreal, H3G1M8 Quebec, Canada

Abstract: Drawing upon social capital and network theories, this article presents a conceptual framework of factors that influence the building of internally focused bonding form of social capital, in the context of family firms. The two sub-systems of family and business are treated as distinct units. Three factors – stability of membership, centrality of actors, and closure of each sub-system – are theorised to positively influence the stocks of bonds in the family or business sub-system. Simultaneous centrality of actors in family and business, closure of both sub-systems, level of interdependence, and quality of interactions between family and business, are theorised to influence the flow of bonds between the two sub-systems. Implications for research are discussed.

Keywords: social capital; bonding; cohesion; closure; network theories; networking; membership stability; sub-systems; simultaneous centrality; interdependence; interactions; bond flows; entrepreneurial venturing; business ventures; entrepreneurs; entrepreneurship; entrepreneurialism; family firms.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEV.2010.037111

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing, 2010 Vol.2 No.3/4, pp.246 - 261

Published online: 25 Nov 2010 *

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