This study examines the relationship between social skills, social networks, and small and medium enterprise (SME) performance. It uses a survey strategy involving semi-structured interviews followed by a questionnaire sent to SMEs. The questionnaire assesses social networks, social skills, and their links to company performance. It measures networking ability, social network structure, social skills, and firm performance indicators like sales, profits, and employee numbers. The goal is to evaluate how social networks impact SMEs and whether social skills influence network development and business outcomes.

1. The Relationship between Social Skills and Social
Networks and Small & Medium Enterprise (SME)
Performance.
Hillary Una Waldron

2. Research Question
The objective of this research is to identify what are the links between
social skills, the size and types of networks and the performance of small
to medium size enterprises.

3. Hypothesis
To evaluate the impact of social networks, if any, on the performance of
SME’s.

4. Objectives
● 1. To identify the key areas of networking needing detailed
investigation.
● 2. Analyse whether the ability to develop new ties on an on-going
basis is linked to particular characteristics of entrepreneurs and/or
social competency.
● 3. To assess the social capital of SME owners/managers and the
possible relationship to social networks.
● 4. To identify and compare the structure of social networks in terms
of network reach (diversity of partners) and richness (perceived value
of resources by the business).

5. Study Design
This study uses a social capital and social network perspective to
explore the impact of social skills on network development and SME
performance.
This study uses a survey strategy which takes place over two phases.
The first phase is an exploratory study using ten semi-structured
interviews to give an insight into this topic in the SME context.
The second phase builds on the information gathered in the first phase
and uses a questionnaire. A questionnaire will be sent to SMEs to assess
their social networks, social skills and links to company performance.

6. Literature
Social capital has become an area of research viewed as having great
importance to the study of those who start up a new business.
Social capital refers to social relations among persons generating productive
results (Ramírez et al. 2010). Social networks are valuable resources since
they facilitate economic activity, allow entrepreneurs to be more efficient
and access privileged business opportunities (Toivonen &Tuominen 2009)
and improve innovation (Zhang & Duan 2010).

7. Literature
Baron and Markham (2003) reported that although a high level of social
capital such as favourable reputation and an extensive social network
contributes to financial success it is the entrepreneur’s social competence
that influences the outcomes they experience
Social skills are the ability to communicate, persuade, and interact with
other members of society, therefore having effective social skills are crucial
for the development of social networks.

8. Literature
• Social perception: accuracy in perceiving others
• Social adaptability: proficiency in adapting one’s actions to the
current social context.
• Expressiveness:the ability to express emotions clearly and openly

9. Survey
Section 1:General Demographic & Company Questions.
Q1 Age
Q2 Gender
Q3 Education
Q4 Nationality:
Q5 Please briefly describe what your company does?
Q6 Where is your business located?
Q7 What is your role in the business?
Q8 How long have you worked in this company?
Q9 Are you the founder of the business?
If yes, is this the first business that you have set up?
If no, how many other business have you set up?
How many are still in existence?

10. Scale:
● Not at all Like Me
● A little Like Me
● Like Me
● Very Much Like Me
● Exactly Like Me

11. Section 2: Networking Ability
● I spend a lot of time and effort networking with others for my business.
● For my business, I know a lot of important people and am well connected.
● I am good at utilising my connections and networks to make things happen at work.
● I have developed a large network of colleagues and associates who I can call on for
support when I really need to get things done.
● I spend a lot of time developing connections with others for my business.
● I am good at building relationships with influential people for my business.

12. Section 3: Structure of Social Network
Approximate Number of
Contacts
Suppliers
Competitors
Consultants
Institute of Technology or Universities
Government Agencies
Business Networks
Financial Institutions
Investors
Customers
Friends and Family
Professional Acquaintances
Family and Friends
Consultants/Business Advisor
No Need for Advice
No Access to relevant sources
Business Organisations
Training Course for SMEs/Entrepreneurs
Financial Institution
Other: please specify
Marketing
/Advertising
Business Contacts General Business
Information
Twitter
Linked in
Facebook
Squidoo
Hubpages
Tumblr
Other: Please specify

13. Section 4: Social Skills
● Social Perception
● Social Adaptability
● Expressiveness
● Impression Management
● Self-promotion
● Ingratiation
● Persuasiveness
● Apparent Sincerity
● Social Astuteness
● Interpersonal Influence.

14. 2012 2011 2010
Have Sales increased or
decreased?
Has there been a profit increase
or decrease?
Have the number of Employees
increased or decreased?
2013 2014 2015
Is there an intention to increase
employees
Section 5: Firm Performance

15. Data has been collected from 10 semi-structured interviews; this has
provided information on themes that were developed into sections on the
survey.
A roundtable discussion was used to finalize the survey. When data is
collected, results will be analysed using SPSS.
Data Analysis

16. Thank you