About

What is this model about?

The model that first appeared in the European Management Journal, aims to facilitate business start-ups and enhance their chance of survival in the context of the networked economy. Although the original focus was on electronic businesses, the model can be applied to a wide range of businesses that could benefit from skills, resources and access to networks.

Who came up with it?

The skills brokerage business model was developed by Dr. Savvas Papagiannidis and Prof. Feng Li. The applications of the brokerage model as a business support tool and this site were developed by Dr. Savvas Papagiannidis.

What is the aim of Skillsbrokerage.net?

Skillsbrokerage.net's has two aims. The first is to promote entrepreneurship by encouraging the application of skills, resources and networks to new and existing projects. By reducing the entry barriers and addressing the lack of skills, which is a common characteristic of underperforming firms, the model aims to help ventures start up, survive and growth. To achieve this, a database has been developed to bring together entrepreneurs and skills brokers. Access to the database is provided for free.

The second aim is to use the site as a platform for studying entrepreneurship and social networks, by studying the interactions between the participants. Research output will be announced on the site and links will be provided for those interested in the results. Participants may be invited to be actively involved in the research on a voluntary basis and will not be identified, unless their written consent is given. If you have any concerns or would like to find more about the research undertaken please do not hesitate to contact us.

How can I get involved?

• If you are an entrepreneurs or a skills broker, simply register your free account and start using the database.

• If you work for a venture capital firm, business support organisation, business incubator and regional or national development agency and you are interested in the model and how it could apply to your case, please contact us. A discussion of potential implications can be found here.

• If you work for an academic institution and your research is looking into entrepreneurship and social networks please contact Dr. Papagiannidis for more information and to discuss potential ways of collaboration.