Entrepreneurs’ human and social capital: Direct and reinforcing benefits for export

It is widely acknowledged that entrepreneurs' human capital in form of education and social capital in form of networking are mutually beneficial and also that both human and social capital benefit their performance. Here, the hypothesis is that human and social capital, in combination, provide added value and jointly add a further boost to performance, specifically if the form of exporting. Global Entrepreneurship Monitor provides data on 52,946 entrepreneurs, who reported on exporting and networking for advice. Hierarchical linear modelling shows that human capital promotes social capital, that human capital and social capital (specifically networking in the international environment, work-place, professions and market, but not in the private sphere) both benefit export directly and that human capital amplifies the benefit of social capital, especially through international networking.

Keywords: entrepreneurs; human capital; social capital; networks; exports; Global Entrepreneurship Monitor; GEM; education; exporting; international networking