Local Networks to Compete in the Global Era. The Italian SMEs Experience

This study is concerned with the factors that influence the cooperation among cluster-based firms. Theorists have consistently demonstrated the role and importance of economic externalities, such as knowledge spillovers, within industrial clusters. Less attention has been paid to the investigation of social based externalities, though it has been suggested that these may also accrue from geographical agglomeration. This study explores the development of cooperation between firms operating in a single industry sector and in close proximity. The results suggest that social networking has a greater influence than geographic proximity in facilitating inter-firm co-operation. A semi-structured questionnaire has been developed and the answers were analysed with a stepwise regression model.Networks, Inter-Firm Cooperation, SMEs

Does Network Matter in International Expansion? Evidence from Italian SMEs

In order to face the new competitive scenario, Apulian textile firms are involved in a process of change and are trying to adopt a networking approach in analysing the international propensity of SMEs. The case of the textile network in Apulia has been analysed using a semi-structured questionnaire submitted to a sample of family businesses in order to verify the influence of network on their internationalisation process. The contribution that the network can give to the single firm in its internationalisation process depends also on the level of cooperation in the network. In fact, relationships – at least dual vertical relationships – are the key to overcoming size limit and providing value to all the partners involved. The research attempted to offer a better academic understanding of the role of network in international competitive advantage. Future research should be based on cross countries analysis, in order to determine whether or not the set of internal determinants of internationalisation pensity remain stable from one country to another. The findings should also be useful to local governance for a better understanding of the network phenomenon in order to develop appropriate programmes for training and supporting SMEs in the global market. This paper provides a wide analysis of the network role in the internationalisation process in a low technology sector.Internationalisation Strategies, Network Approach

Retail Concentration: The Shopping Streets

Changes in consumer lifestyle strongly affect the retail demand, forcing the distribution system to reorganize and reposition its offer. Shopping proves to be a differentiating “activity”, given that buying behavior is even more characterized by psychological and emotional factors, thus the purchased goods and the stores patronized become lifestyle symbols. However, a dualism between the retail dynamic needs and the existing spatial conditions exists. The former, especially in the case of fashion and shopping goods, requires a strategic position as close to customers as possible, namely huge spaces, attractive locations where the consumer need for experience and entertainment is met. The latter could be modified gradually and partially, determining a location hierarchy that results from wider changes in politics, economy and society. Consequently, all cities are experiencing a renewal process in their shopping “spaces”; retailers are competing for a front space on the streets in order to gain more visibility – through huge and sparkling stores - and “label” their products through values, symbols, and emotional/entertaining experience. This paper investigates the spatial/territorial dimension of consumption, analyzing the concentration phenomenon among shops from the same sector or complementary ones. By exploiting agglomeration economies shops can be positioned in the consumers’ mind, firstly, with the street’s collective image and then with the shop’s specific image. The purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which shopping streets (also referred to as the high street, downtown or city centre) provide retail concentration

The role of psychological flow in adventure tourism: sociodemographic antecedents and consequences on word-of-mouth and life satisfaction

While the concept of experience has attracted considerable attention in tourism, the research on psychological flow, as a mental state that tourists may derive from extraordinary experiences, has remained limited, especially in the field of tourism marketing. Yet, this concept might have an important role in promoting sustainable forms of tourism. This paper investigates the sociodemographic antecedents and consequences of psychological flow in the context of adventure tourism, which is a sustainable form of tourism due to its connection with nature and the great potential for assuring extraordinary experiences to tourists by considering mountain biking experiences as a research setting. The empirical results reveal that age is a particularly important sociodemographic antecedent: Indeed, respondents at older ages were more likely to experience psychological flow. Furthermore, reaching this mental state, in turn, increased respondents’ likelihood to disseminate positive information about their experiences and enhanced their satisfaction with life. Theoretical and operational implications are discussed along with main limitations and directions for future research

strategic alliances between japanese western companies a win win or win lose relationship the case of the automobile industry

Inter-firm cooperative arrangements involving flows and linkages that use resources and/or governance structures from autonomous firms based in different countries help in accomplishing both the individual objectives and the collective ones. Through collaboration with foreign partners, firms are able to exploit new market opportunities, minimise investment risks, set up more efficient and effective distribution channels or create products, product features, brands or services and, above all, absorb key capabilities and technologies from the partner. Literature on strategic alliances raised the issue on an alleged appropriation of benefits by Japanese firms when participating in strategic alliances. Japanese companies have experienced higher shareholders' returns in strategic alliances with Western partners, both in the short term and in the medium one. The choice of Japanese and Western companies calls for a deeper understanding of the drivers of the alliances and the determinants of value creation without misleading influences deriving from different business environments.This paper analyzes the wealth distribution taking into account the reaction of the market to the alliance as an indicator of a successful strategy. It explores the case of the automobile industry, which is characterised by a high use of inter-firm cooperation, such as strategic alliances and mergers & acquisitions, to effectively compete in the global market and face the global crisis