ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the links between entrepreneurial networks, the generation of social capital and access to resources. One of the most important changes in our understanding of entrepreneurship has been the shift away from seeing those engaged in business start-up as ‘heroic’ individuals. A related issue to the interest in networks has been the emergence of social capital as an important element in understanding entrepreneurship. Social capital refers to the outputs, both tangible and intangible, which emerge from relationships between social actors. The entrepreneur’s strong ties may have limited resources and it is important that they seek additional resources from their weaker network ties. Most would-be entrepreneurs have strong ties with other actors, particularly family and close friends, who can provide useful knowledge, information and external contacts. Open social networks which have significant numbers of weaker ties, provide access to a wider range of unique resources.
