Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-s2hrs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-15T03:26:47.810Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Development of interfirm network management activities: The impact of industry, firm age and size

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2015

Maria Ripollés  and
Andreu Blesa
Maria Ripollés
Affiliation:
Department of Business Administration and Marketing, Universitat Jaume I, Av. de Vicent Sos Baynat, Castelló de la Plana, Spain
Andreu Blesa*
Affiliation:
Department of Business Administration and Marketing, Universitat Jaume I, Av. de Vicent Sos Baynat, Castelló de la Plana, Spain
*
Corresponding author: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

This article investigates the structural characteristics of firms that promote activities involving partners who coordinate with each other to achieve common or individual goals. The article also aims to verify empirically whether these activities generate advantages for companies embedded in relationships by examining the effects of industry, age and size on interfirm network management activities in a sample of Spanish companies operating in several industries and belonging to networks. The results show differences according to the life cycle stage: growth or maturity. Only the relation between interfirm network management activity and performance has been confirmed in both samples. The findings point to the need to consider the industrial environment when analysing firms’ networking decisions because the situations they face differ in mature or growing industries.

Keywords

industryagesizeinterfirm network management activities
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Management & Organization , Volume 22 , Issue 2 , March 2016 , pp. 186 - 204
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management 2015 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Aldrich, H. E., & Auster, E. (1986). Even dwarfs started small: Liabilities of size and age and their strategic implications. In B. M. Staw, & L. L. Cummings (Eds.), Research in Organizational Behavior (pp. 165–198). Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.Google Scholar
Andersson, S. (2004). Internationalization in different industrial contexts. Journal of Business Venturing, 19(6), 851–875.Google Scholar
Anderson, J. C., & Gerbing, D. W. (1988). Structural equation modelling in practice: A review and recommended two-step approach. Psychological Bulletin, 103(3), 411–423.Google Scholar
Armstrong, J. S., & Overton, T. S. (1977). Estimating nonresponse bias in mail surveys. Journal of Marketing Research, 14(3), 396–402.Google Scholar
Autio, E., Sapienza, H. J., & Almeida, J. G. (2000). Effects of age at entry, knowledge intensity, and imitability on international growth. Academy of Management Journal, 43(5), 909–924.Google Scholar
Batjargal, B. (2006). The dynamics of entrepreneurs’ networks in a transitioning economy: The case of Russia. Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, 18, 305–320.Google Scholar
Baum, J. A. C., & Oliver, C. (1991). Institutional linkages and organizational morality. Administrative Science Quarterly, 36, 187–218.Google Scholar
Beal, R. M., & Lockamy, A. III (1999). Quality differentiation for competitive advantage. European Journal of Innovation Management, 2(2), 71–81.Google Scholar
Boeker, W. (1989). Strategic change: The effects of founding and history. Academy of Management Journal, 32(3), 489–515.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Burt, R. (1992). Structural holes: The social structure of competition. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.Google Scholar
Burt, R. (2000). The network structure of social capital. Research in Organizational Behavior, 22, 345–423.Google Scholar
Chandler, A. (1962). Strategy and structure. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.Google Scholar
Chetty, S. K. (2003). Explosive international growth and problems of success amongst small to medium-sized firms. International Small Business Journal, 21(1), 5–27.Google Scholar
Claycomb, C., & Frankwick, G. L. (2010). Buyers’ perspectives of buyer–seller relationship development. Industrial Marketing Management, 39, 252–263.Google Scholar
Coviello, N. E., Brodie, R. J., & Munro, H. J. (2000). An investigation of marketing practice by firm size. Journal of Business Venturing, 15(5–6), 523–545.Google Scholar
Coviello, N. E., & Munro, H. J. (1995). Growing the entrepreneurial firm: Networking for international market development. European Journal of Marketing, 29(7), 49–61.Google Scholar
Covin, J. G., & Slevin, D. P. (1989). Strategic management of small firms in hostile and benign environments. Strategic Management Journal, 10(1), 75–87.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cunningham, M. T., & Homse, E. (1986). Controlling the marketing-purchasing interface: Resource development and organizational implications. Industrial Marketing and Purchasing, 1(2), 3–27.Google Scholar
De Clercq, D., Sapienza, H. J., Yavuz, R. I., & Zhou, L. (2012). Learning and knowledge in early internationalization research: Past accomplishments and future directions. Journal of Business Venturing, 27, 143–165.Google Scholar
DiMaggio, P., & Powell, W. (1991). The new institutionalism in organizational analysis. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.Google Scholar
Fink, M., & Kessler, A. (2010). Cooperation, trust and performance – empirical results from three countries. British Journal of Management, 21(2), 469–483.Google Scholar
Freeman, S., Hutchings, K., Lazaris, M., & Zyngier, S. (2010). A model of rapid knowledge development: The smaller born-global firm. International Business Review, 19, 70–84.Google Scholar
Grandori, A., & Soda, G. (1995). Inter-firm networks: Antecedents, mechanisms and forms. Organization Studies, 16(2), 183–214.Google Scholar
Grant, R. M. (2010). Contemporary strategy snalysis. Malden, MA: Blackwell.Google Scholar
Greiner, L. E. (1972). Evolution and revolution as organizations grow. Harvard Business Review, 50(4), 37–46.Google Scholar
Håkansson, H. (Ed.) (1982). International marketing and purchasing of industrial goods: An interaction approach. Chichester, UK: J. Wiley and Sons.Google Scholar
Hallén, L., Johanson, J., & Seyed-Mohamed, N. (1991). Interfirm adaptation in business relationships. Journal of Marketing, 55(2), 19–37.Google Scholar
Hannan, M. T., & Freeman, J. (1984). Structural inertia and organizational change. American Sociological Review, 49(2), 149–164.Google Scholar
Harrigan, K. R. (1988). Strategic alliance and partner asymmetries. Management International Review, 28(4), 53–72.Google Scholar
Helfert, G., Ritter, T., & Walter, A. (2002). Redefining market orientation from a relationship perspective: Theoretical considerations and empirical results. European Journal of Marketing, 36(9), 1139–1199.Google Scholar
Hite, J. M., & Hesterly, W. S. (2001). The evolution of firm networks: From emergence to early growth of the firm. Strategic Management Journal, 22, 275–286.Google Scholar
Hoang, H., & Antoncic, B. (2003). Network based research in entrepreneurship: A critical review. Journal of Business Venturing, 18(2), 165–187.Google Scholar
Hult, G. T. M., Ketchen, D. J., Griffith, D. A., Chabowski, B. R., Hamman, M. K., Dykes, B. J., Pollitte, W. A., & Cavusgil, S. T. (2008). An assessment of the measurement of performance in international business research. Journal of International Business Studies, 39, 1064–1080.Google Scholar
Jarillo, J. C. (1988). On strategic networks. Strategic Management Journal, 9(1), 39–41.Google Scholar
Johanson, J., & Vahlne, J. E. (2009). The Uppsala internationalization process model revisited: From liability of foreignness to liability of outsidership. Academy of International Business, 40, 1411–1413.Google Scholar
Johnson, H. T., & Kaplan, R. S. (1987). Relevance lost: The rise and fall of management accounting. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press.Google Scholar
Jöreskog, K., & Sörbom, D. (1993). LISREL 8: Structural equation modelling with the SIMPLIS command language. Chicago, IL: Scientific Software International.Google Scholar
Karniouchina, E. V., Carson, S. J., Short, J. C., & Ketchen, D. J. (2013). Extending the firm vs. industry debate: Does industry life cycle stage matter? Strategic Management Journal, 34, 1010–1018.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Katz, R. L. (1970). Cases and concepts in corporate strategy. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.Google Scholar
Khanna, T., Ranjay, G., & Nohria, N. (1998). The dynamics of learning alliances: Competition, cooperation, and relative scope. Strategic Management Journal, 19(3), 193–210.Google Scholar
Kim, K. K., Umanath, N. S., Kim, J. Y., Ahrens, F., & Kim, B. (2012). Knowledge complementarity and knowledge exchange in supply channel relationships. International Journal of Information Management, 32(1), 35–49.Google Scholar
Kogut, B. (2000). The network as knowledge: Generative rules and the emergence of structure. Strategic Management Journal, 21(3), 405–425.Google Scholar
Kohli, A. K., & Jaworski, B. J. (1990). Market orientation: The construct, research propositions and managerial implications. Journal of Marketing, 54, 1–18.Google Scholar
Lechner, C., Dowling, M., & Welpe, I. (2006). Firm networks and firm development: The role of the relational mix. Journal of Business Venturing, 21, 514–540.Google Scholar
Levitt, T. (1965, November–December). Exploit the product life cycle. Harvard Business Review, 81–94.Google Scholar
Löfgren, A., Tolstoy, D., Sharma, D., & Johanson, J. (2008). Network coordination as a key to external resources: A study of an internationalizing biotech SME. In L. P. Dana, I. M., Welpe, M., Han, & V. Ratten (Eds.), Handbook of research on European business and entrepreneurship (pp. 618–635). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.Google Scholar
Lu, J. W., & Beamish, P. W. (2006). Partnering strategies and performance of SMEs’ international joint ventures. Journal of Business Venturing, 21, 461–486.Google Scholar
Lumpkin, G. T., & Dess, G. G. (2001). Linking two dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation to firm performance: The moderating role of environment and industry life cycle. Journal of Business Venturing, 16(5), 429–451.Google Scholar
Luo, X., Zhou, L., & Liu, S. S. (2005). Entrepreneurial firms in the context of China’s transition economy: An integrative framework and empirical examination. Journal of Business Research, 58, 277–284.Google Scholar
Madsen, T. K. (1989). Successful export marketing management: Some empirical evidence. International Marketing Review, 6(4), 41–57.Google Scholar
Maignan, I., & Lukas, B. A. (1997). Entry mode decisions: The role of managers’ mental models. Journal of Global Marketing, 10(4), 7–22.Google Scholar
March, J. G. (1981). Decisions in organizations and theories of choice. In A. H. Van deVen, & W. Joyce (Eds.), Perspectives on organization design and behavior (pp. 200–225). New York, NY: Wiley.Google Scholar
Marks, L. J., & Kamins, M. A. (1988). The use of product sampling and advertising: Effects of sequence of exposure and degree of advertising claim exaggeration on consumers’ belief clarity, belief confidence, and attitudes. Journal of Marketing Research, 25, 266–281.Google Scholar
Martinez, R. J., & Dacin, M. T. (1999). Efficiency motives and normative forces: Combining transaction cost and institutional logic. Journal of Management, 25, 75–96.Google Scholar
Mattsson, L. (1997). Relationship marketing’ and the ‘markets-as-networks approach’ a comparative analysis of two evolving streams of research. Journal of Marketing Management, 13, 447–461.Google Scholar
McLoughlin, D., & Horan, C. (2000). Business marketing: Perspectives from the markets-as networks approach. Industrial Marketing Management, 29(4), 285–292.Google Scholar
Miles, G., Snow, C. C., & Sharfman, M. P. (1993). Industry variety and performance. Strategic Management Journal, 14(3), 163–177.Google Scholar
Miles, R. E., & Snow, C. C. (1978). Organizational strategy, structure and process. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.Google Scholar
Miller, D., & Friesen, P. H. (1982). Structural change and performance: Quantum versus piecemeal-incremental approaches. Academy of Management Journal, 25(4), 867–892.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mintzberg, H., & Quinn, J. B. (1991). The strategy process: Concepts, contexts, and cases. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.Google Scholar
Mohr, J., & Nevin, J. R. (1990). Communication strategies in marketing channels: A theoretical perspective. Journal of Marketing, 54(4), 36–51.Google Scholar
Mohr, J., & Spekman, R. (1994). Characteristics of partnership success: Partnership attributes, communication behavior, and conflict resolution. Strategic Management Journal, 15(2), 135–152.Google Scholar
Möller, K., & Halinen, A. (1999). Business relationships and networks: Managerial challenge of network era. Industrial Marketing Management, 28, 413–427.Google Scholar
Morgan, R. M., & Hunt, S. D. (1994). The commitment-trust theory of relationship marketing. Journal of Marketing, 58, 20–38.Google Scholar
Narver, J. C., & Slater, S. F. (1990). The effect of a market orientation on business profitability. Journal of Marketing, 54(4), 20–28.Google Scholar
Porter, M. E. (1980). Competitive strategy. New York, NY: The Free Press.Google Scholar
Prashantham, S., & Young, S. (2011). Post-Entry Speed of International New Ventures. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 35(2), 275–292.Google Scholar
Pyka, A. (2000). Informal networking and industrial life cycles. Technovation, 20(4), 25–35.Google Scholar
Rank, O. N. (2008). Formal structures and informal networks: Structural analysis in organizations. Scandinavian Journal of Management, 24(2), 145–161.Google Scholar
Ritter, T., Wilkinson, I. F., & Johnston, W. J. (2002). Measuring network competence: Some international evidence. Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, 17(2/3), 119–138.Google Scholar
Ritter, T., & Gemünden, H. G. (2003). Network competence: Its impact on innovation success and its antecedents. Journal of Business Research, 56(9), 745–755.Google Scholar
Ritter, T., Wilkinson, I. F., & Johnston, W. J. (2004). Managing in complex business networks. Industrial marketing management, 33(3), 175–183.Google Scholar
Robson, M., Skarmeas, D., & Spyropoulou, S. (2006). Behavioral attribute and performance in international strategic alliances; review and future directions. International Marketing Review, 23(6), 585–609.Google Scholar
Ruekert, R. W., & Walker, O. C. (1987). Marketing’s interaction with other functional units: A conceptual framework and empirical evidence. Journal of Marketing, 58(1), 1–19.Google Scholar
Schoonjans, B., Van Cauwenberge, P., & Bauwhede, H. V. (2013). Formal business networking and SME growth. Small Business Economics, 41, 169–181.Google Scholar
Scott, W. R. (1995). Institutions and organizations. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.Google Scholar
Shih, S. C., Hsu, S. H. Y., Zhu, Z., & Balasubramanian, S. K. (2012). Knowledge sharing, a key role in the downstream supply chain. Information & Management, 49(2), 70–80.Google Scholar
Shoham, A. (1998). Export performance: A conceptualisation and empirical assessment. Journal of International Marketing, 6(3), 59–81.Google Scholar
Slotte-Kock, S., & Coviello, N. (2009). Entrepreneurship research on network processes: A review and ways forward. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 34(1), 31–57.Google Scholar
Vissa, B., & Bhagavatula, S. (2012). The causes and consequences of churn in entrepreneurs’ personal networks. Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal 6, 273–289.Google Scholar
Walter, J., Kellermanns, F. W., Floyd, S. W., Veiga, J. F., & Matherne, C. (2013). Strategic alignment: A missing link in the relationship between strategic consensus and organizational performance. Strategic Organization, 11(3), 304–328.Google Scholar
Wegner, W., & Padula, A. D. (2010). Governance and management of horizontal business networks: And analysis of retail networks in Germany. International Journal of Business and Management, 5(12), 74–88.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wilkinson, I., & Young, L. (2002). On cooperating: Firms, relations and networks. Journal of Business Research, 55(2), 123–132.Google Scholar
Zahra, S. A., & George, G. (2002). Absorptive capacity: A review, reconceptualization, and extension. Academy of Management Review, 27(2), 185–203.Google Scholar