Factors influencing the stocks and flows of bonding social capital in family firms

Drawing upon social capital and network theories, this article presents a conceptual framework of factors that influence the building of internally focused bonding form of social capital, in the context of family firms. The two sub-systems of family and business are treated as distinct units. Three factors – stability of membership, centrality of actors, and closure of each sub-system – are theorised to positively influence the stocks of bonds in the family or business sub-system. Simultaneous centrality of actors in family and business, closure of both sub-systems, level of interdependence, and quality of interactions between family and business, are theorised to influence the flow of bonds between the two sub-systems. Implications for research are discussed.