ABSTRACT
In this chapter, microfinance in Norway and in the Nordic countries are analysed as a case study of social entrepreneurship, as a social capital building process and as an arena for learning and exchange of experience among self-employed and small business owners in Norway. The chapter draws on data from fieldwork in Norway, Hordaland County and the author's involvement in building a microfinance organization in Norway as well as being part of organizing a Nordic Microfinance Network. This chapter focuses on a case from Hordaland, Norway, where the building of social capital has been substantial since 1998. The case study is part of a PhD student longitudinal research project covering the period from 2002-2015 that has followed the same group of entrepreneurs in Hordaland County, Norway, starting with interviews, a survey and focus groups in 2002, followed by in-depth interviews and a follow-up survey in 2013.
