Promoting business networks

Interest in the role cooperative networks can play in small business development is increasing. Evidence from a survey of three network promoting small business associations based in three different cities is examined and a number of different ways the agencies could deliver their services are suggested. Two networking initiatives by the New Zealand Trade Development Board are then considered. It is concluded that individual networking initiatives need to be developed and evaluated as part of a broad policy push to facilitate the development of an environment more conducive to business cooperation.