Bridging voids: constraints on Hispanic entrepreneurs building social capital

Ruth Clarke and Ramdas Chandra

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2011, vol. 14, issue 2, 286-302

Abstract: This study uses social capital theory and strategic entrepreneurship theory to examine the extent to which Hispanic immigrant entrepreneurs create and employ social capital in their firms. Using a modified instrument originally created by the World Bank to measure social capital, we evaluate the amount and different dimensions of social capital possessed by a sample of entrepreneurs with mid to small-sized businesses in a limited geographic area within the USA. We find low levels of social capital among our respondents. To the extent that social capital exists, the majority of it seems to be derived from Hispanic sources rather than non-Hispanic sources. Further, we find some limited evidence that non-Hispanic driven social capital positively affects growth and internationalisation. In light of these findings we discuss the issue of bridging and social capital development.

Keywords: Hispanic entrepreneurs; immigrants; immigration; social capital; networks; cultural marginality; constraints; strategic entrepreneurship; World Bank; United States; USA; Latin America; economic growth; internationalisation; bridging voids; South Florida; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ids:ijesbu:v:14:y:2011:i:2:p:286-302

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