Boards' advisory role in strategic SME networks

Abstract

This study focuses on the advisory role of network boards in stimulating network-level entrepreneurial orientation. Results from a longitudinal analysis of boards governing 53 strategic small-firm networks support the positive role that board functional diversity and board insider/outsider diversity play in supporting entrepreneurship. Further, board group tenure and network age moderate the diversity relationships (functional and insider/outsider) in opposite ways. The effect of functional background diversity on network entrepreneurial orientation is stronger in younger networks and networks with tenured boards. The impact of board insider/outsider diversity is weaker in tenured board groups and stronger in more mature networks.Godkänd; 2011; 20110818 (andbra)CiiR-Centre for Inter-Organizational Innovation Researc