Comparative analysis on social network of Korea-invested enterprises in jiangsu province: Implications for regional development

Abstract

This paper analyzes the nature of social network for Korean auto ventures in Jiangsu Province and discusses their implications for coordinated development among regions. We investigated 62 Korea-invested enterprises in Suzhou and Yancheng, based on a large-scale questionnaires and face-to-face interviews, in order to comparative analysis between Subei and Sunan. In terms of social network pattern, we found significant differences between two regions. In Subei, internal social network of Korean ventures are enclosed and hierarchical, which is not helpful to innovative activities. Moreover, in Subei, there shows unequal strong ties between Korean ventures and local government. Hostile and breakable relationships are harmful for long-term development for two main reasons. Comparatively speaking, in Sunan, Korean firms have open internal social relation network and relaxed social relationships with local government and other relevant actors. More efforts are still needed to better expand the social network, integrating Korean ventures and local economies in Subei.