SME-supplier alliance activity in manufacturing: Contingent benefits and perceptions

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Arend, Richard J.
• 署名单位: Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE); University of Nevada Las Vegas
• 刊物名称: STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT JOURNAL
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0143-2095
• DOI: 10.1002/smj.538
• 发表日期: 2006
• 页码: 741-763
• 关键词: vertical alliance benefits; Small business; self-selection; perceptions

摘要

We address the following two questions: how upstream vertical alliance (UVA) activity affects the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); and how SME perceptions of that relationship influence the choice to engage in UVA activity. Using responses from a recent survey of business unit managers representing 200 SMEs, we find that UVA activity benefits SME performance when self-selection effects are controlled. Instead of being a source of differentiation advantages, UVA activity leverages the SME's existing advantages. And, while SME perceptions appear to drive the self-selection of UVA activity, those perceptions are inaccurate; the result is that the SMEs likely to benefit less from such activity engage in it more. Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.