Using capital theory to explore problem solving and innovation in small firms

Purpose This study investigated how small firms work at a micro-level, applying Bourdieu’s Capital Theory to give insight into the way individuals use the social and cultural capital at their disposal, to innovate and solve problems. Design/Methodology/Approach We applied qualitative methods to expl...

Full description

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors:	Donna Champion, Jane Glover, Kevin Daniels, Grahame Boocock
Format:	Default Article
Published:	2016
Subjects:	Other commerce, management, tourism and services not elsewhere classified Problem solving Innovation Social capital Cultural capital Capital relationships Small enterprises Business and Management not elsewhere classified
Online Access:	https://hdl.handle.net/2134/19116
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!

id	rr-article-9504752
record_format	Figshare
spelling	rr-article-95047522016-01-01T00:00:00Z Using capital theory to explore problem solving and innovation in small firms Donna Champion (1253763) Jane Glover (7152266) Kevin Daniels (3820390) Grahame Boocock (7196042) Other commerce, management, tourism and services not elsewhere classified Problem solving Innovation Social capital Cultural capital Capital relationships Small enterprises Business and Management not elsewhere classified Purpose This study investigated how small firms work at a micro-level, applying Bourdieu’s Capital Theory to give insight into the way individuals use the social and cultural capital at their disposal, to innovate and solve problems. Design/Methodology/Approach We applied qualitative methods to explore problem solving and innovation activities at the micro-level in small firms, using interviews and thematic analysis. Findings Our findings reveal that, compared to firms with lower levels of social and cultural capital, firms which possess higher levels of social and cultural capital have a higher success rate in problem solving and are more likely to engage in innovative activity. Social and cultural capitals complement and reinforce one another in small firms, for example an enhanced ability to utilise networks (social capital) allows small firms to access a greater diversity of knowledge (cultural capital). Originality/Value Little is known about how different forms of capital are utilised in the day-to-day operations and problem solving of small firms: the application of Bourdieu’s Capital Theory offered an original frame in which to explore these activities. 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z Text Journal contribution 2134/19116 https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Using_capital_theory_to_explore_problem_solving_and_innovation_in_small_firms/9504752 CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
institution	Loughborough University
collection	Figshare
topic	Other commerce, management, tourism and services not elsewhere classified Problem solving Innovation Social capital Cultural capital Capital relationships Small enterprises Business and Management not elsewhere classified
spellingShingle	Other commerce, management, tourism and services not elsewhere classified Problem solving Innovation Social capital Cultural capital Capital relationships Small enterprises Business and Management not elsewhere classified Donna Champion Jane Glover Kevin Daniels Grahame Boocock Using capital theory to explore problem solving and innovation in small firms
description	Purpose This study investigated how small firms work at a micro-level, applying Bourdieu’s Capital Theory to give insight into the way individuals use the social and cultural capital at their disposal, to innovate and solve problems. Design/Methodology/Approach We applied qualitative methods to explore problem solving and innovation activities at the micro-level in small firms, using interviews and thematic analysis. Findings Our findings reveal that, compared to firms with lower levels of social and cultural capital, firms which possess higher levels of social and cultural capital have a higher success rate in problem solving and are more likely to engage in innovative activity. Social and cultural capitals complement and reinforce one another in small firms, for example an enhanced ability to utilise networks (social capital) allows small firms to access a greater diversity of knowledge (cultural capital). Originality/Value Little is known about how different forms of capital are utilised in the day-to-day operations and problem solving of small firms: the application of Bourdieu’s Capital Theory offered an original frame in which to explore these activities.
format	Default Article
author	Donna Champion Jane Glover Kevin Daniels Grahame Boocock
author_facet	Donna Champion Jane Glover Kevin Daniels Grahame Boocock
author_sort	Donna Champion (1253763)
title	Using capital theory to explore problem solving and innovation in small firms
title_short	Using capital theory to explore problem solving and innovation in small firms
title_full	Using capital theory to explore problem solving and innovation in small firms
title_fullStr	Using capital theory to explore problem solving and innovation in small firms
title_full_unstemmed	Using capital theory to explore problem solving and innovation in small firms
title_sort	using capital theory to explore problem solving and innovation in small firms
publishDate	2016
url	https://hdl.handle.net/2134/19116
_version_	1797193310549311488

Using capital theory to explore problem solving and innovation in small firms

Similar Items