Nybakk, E., Lunnan, A., Jenssen, J.I. & Crespell, P. 2013. The importance of social networks in the Norwegian firewood industry. Biomass and Bioenergy dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2012.11.018 1 The importance of social networks in the Norwegian firewood industry Erlend Nybakk* Norwegian Forest and Landscape Institute, Postboks 115, 1431 Ås, Norway. E-mail: Erlend.nybakk@skogoglandskap.no * Corresponding author Anders Lunnan UMB School of Business and Economics, Postboks 5003, 1432 Ås, Norway. Jan Inge Jenssen, University of Agder, Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, Kristiansand Norway Pablo Crespell, FPInnovations, Vancouver, BC, Canada Abstract: This study examines the relationship between social network size, innovation and firm performance among firewood producers in Norway. Moreover, it investigates how this relationship is affected both by the structure and variations in networks and by firm size and age. A questionnaire-based survey was sent to managers of firms (including one-person firms) in the firewood industry in Norway. A total of 645 usable replies were received, and the theoretical model was tested using structural equation modeling. The findings show that social network size has a positive effect on firm performance via innovation by firewood producers. Furthermore, the results show that firewood producers with fewer involved family members and more variation in occupation and entrepreneurial experience in their networks benefit more from larger social networks than other producers do. Keywords: networking, innovation, firm performance, bioenergy, renewable energy, micro firms Electronic version (Post print) of an article published as [Biomass and Bioenergy, 2013 [DOI No: dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2012.11.018 2009, 441-466] © [copyright Elsevier] [ http://www.journals.elsevier.com/biomass-and-bioenergy ]