Purpose

This paper considers the multiple social networks of small family businesses and the dynamic interactions between them. It analyses family, friendship and business networks and the way additional ties within the networks become visible when they are considered together rather than separately.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews of thirteen family-owned and managed businesses are used to establish the patterns of networking. A detailed case study is then presented, allowing a deeper qualitative analysis of the interaction of different types of networks.

Findings

The findings explore multiple rationalities employed in the networking of family businesses and how different aspects of their individual family, friendship and business networks contribute to business development.

Research limitations/implications

The paper suggests that a multi-rational theoretical perspective of the family, rather than a solely business-related perspective, deepens the understanding of the dynamics of family businesses behavior and that different types of businesses may be influenced to varying degrees by different rationalities.

Practical implications

Business networking tends to be deliberately encouraged by business support agencies, often via the deliberate development of events. A deeper understanding of the manner in which small businesses use and develop networks would enhance the direction and effectiveness of such investment.

Social implications

Family businesses, especially micro- small- and SME businesses, are often integral to the communities in which they are based. By viewing family businesses within their social space, we acknowledge the importance of the community around them and the integrated nature of family, business and community in rural areas.

Originality/value

The value of this research lies in the proposition that smaller businesses in rural areas are often surrounded by the inter-woven networks of family, business and community.

中文翻译：

---

在家族企业中整合家庭、友谊和商业网络

目的

本文考虑了小型家族企业的多个社交网络以及它们之间的动态交互。它分析了家庭、友谊和商业网络，以及当将它们一起考虑而不是单独考虑时，网络中的其他联系变得可见的方式。

设计/方法/途径

对 13 家家族拥有和管理的企业进行半结构化访谈，以建立网络模式。然后介绍了详细的案例研究，允许对不同类型网络的交互进行更深入的定性分析。

发现

调查结果探讨了家族企业网络中采用的多种合理性，以及他们个人家庭、友谊和商业网络的不同方面如何为企业发展做出贡献。

研究局限性/影响

该论文表明，家族的多理性理论视角，而不是仅仅与企业相关的视角，加深了对家族企业行为动态的理解，并且不同类型的企业可能在不同程度上受到不同理性的影响。

实际影响

商业支持机构往往有意鼓励建立商业网络，通常是通过有意识地举办活动。深入了解小型企业使用和发展网络的方式将增强此类投资的方向和有效性。

社会影响

家族企业，尤其是小微企业和中小企业，往往是其所在社区不可或缺的一部分。通过在其社会空间内观察家族企业，我们承认他们周围社区的重要性以及农村地区家庭、企业和社区的综合性质。

原创性/价值

这项研究的价值在于，农村地区的小型企业通常被家庭、企业和社区相互交织的网络所包围。