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The Effect of Network Structure on Performance in South Korea SMEs: The Moderating Effects of Absorptive Capacity

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  • Choonghyun Kim

    (Entrepreneurship Center, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Korea)

  • Jaekang Lee

    (School of Business, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Korea)

Abstract

This study has analyzed how the network structure (density, centrality) affects the performance (convergence, overall) in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) with the different business exchange activities. In addition, we conducted a moderating effect of absorptive capacity (ability, motivation). Based on previous literature about the network and absorptive capacity, research hypotheses were developed and tested using a sample of 226 SMEs in South Korea. The results show that network density and centrality have a positive effect on perceived convergence and overall performance. These results are consistent with previous network studies relating to structural characteristics. To raise total performances in firms with different business exchange activities, they need to enhance density and centrality. For example, firms with different business exchange activities and high levels of density and centrality are able to easily obtain various types of information from other members of 7000 firms in Korea. Through this, they can improve performance. We also conducted the moderated regression analysis. The results show that employee ability has a positive moderating effect on the relationship between centrality and the overall performance while employee motivation has a negative moderating effect. The implications and directions for future study along with limitations are presented.

Suggested Citation

  • Choonghyun Kim & Jaekang Lee, 2018. "The Effect of Network Structure on Performance in South Korea SMEs: The Moderating Effects of Absorptive Capacity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:9:p:3174-:d:167921
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    1. Rizwan Ullah Khan & Arshad Mahmood & Mohammed Ahmed & Makwan Jamil Mustafa & Mohammad Khamis Alshamsi & Qaisar Iqbal & Yashar Salamzadeh, 2021. "Impact of network structure on sustainable competitive performance among Pakistani small and medium enterprises: does government financial support matter?," Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research, Springer;UNESCO Chair in Entrepreneurship, vol. 11(1), pages 579-591, December.
    2. Lei Xu & Ronggui Ding & Lei Wang, 2022. "How to facilitate knowledge diffusion in collaborative innovation projects by adjusting network density and project roles," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 127(3), pages 1353-1379, March.
    3. Asem Alkahtani & Norfarah Nordin & Rizwan Ullah Khan, 2020. "Does government support enhance the relation between networking structure and sustainable competitive performance among SMEs?," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 9(1), pages 1-16, December.

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