Social Networks:Mechanisms for Building Academic Entrepreneurs' Social Capital

The present paper examines social networks and their impact on academic entrepreneurs’ social capital. Academic entrepreneurs (AEs) face unique challenges associated with commercialising their research. Social capital results from building relationships that serve to facilitate and support a common goal. Social networks are the framework created by personal, professional, and business relationships and can serve a mechanism for increasing AEs’ social capital by compensating for AEs’ social skill deficiencies. A systematic review of evidence revealed that social networks increased AEs’ social capital. Findings from cross case analysis of relevant evidence are synthesized and presented according to identified common themes. The final sections present conclusions, scholarly and practical implications, and limitations of this review.