Impact of the Managers' Network of Influence on the Productivity of SMEs: The Case of Advertising Agencies in Southern France

The paper presents two econometric models aimed at analyzing the role of managers and the impact of their professional connections on company performance, focusing on how these can enhance the productivity of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). To this end, a sample of companies was examined through an empirical study based on both quantitative and qualitative data. The results demonstrate that the professional relationships of Board of Directors (BoD) members significantly influence corporate performance and financial stability, as theorized and hypothesized. It follows that a manager's ability to establish and manage a network of business connections can have a substantial impact on the success of the company. Moreover, SMEs can derive concrete benefits from the interconnections of their BoD members, gaining access to resources, knowledge, and opportunities available only through their ties with other organizations.