Social Capital and the Linkages of High-Tech Companies to the Military Defense System: Is there a Signaling Mechanism?

This study investigates linkages of new Israeli high-tech companies to the military and defense system. We examine the impact of social capital, signaling, and learning spillovers on resource acquisition in terms of investments and the financial performance of companies with and without linkages. Social capital, signaling, and learning spillovers are examined as they impact individual and organizational resource acquisition and performance of 200 new Israeli high-tech companies. The study contributes to the existing literature of entrepreneurship by suggesting the relevance of knowledge spillovers, signaling theory and social capital to the context of the interface between defense and civilian spheres. Copyright Springer 2006