Exploring small businesses' perceived importance, benefits and challenges of B2B networking

According to the networking theory, a firm’s decision to enter, remain in, or withdraw from a network depends on the network’s perceived benefits to the firm. Therefore, it is important for small businesses to assess the benefits of a network (Havnes & Senneseth, 2001). To understand small businesses’ perceived importance and benefits of B2B networking and explore their perceived obstacles, this study asked the following questions: (RQ1) How do small business owners/managers perceive the importance of networking with other small businesses? (RQ2) What benefits of networking through SNSs (social network sites) are perceived by small business owners/managers? (RQ3) What challenges of networking through SNSs are perceived by small business owners/managers?