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The competitiveness of small network-firm: A practical tool

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  • Díaz-Chao, Ángel
  • Sainz-González, Jorge
  • Torrent-Sellens, Joan

Abstract

This study presents a model and a practical tool for measuring and managing small network-firm competitiveness. This model, which has three concentric circles, goes beyond the value chain. The first concentric circle represents a small network-firm's results. The second represents the four elements of the firm value. The third represents the set of environmental activities affecting the value elements. In addition, ten working assumptions are present. The findings suggest that the small network-firm competitiveness is manageable through a set of twenty-five entrepreneur or indicators that managers perceive; five for each value element (human resources and work organization, operations and marketing, infrastructure, and innovation) and five for small firm performance. A ten-point Likert scale rates each of these indicators. An empirical analysis corroborates the model and the practical tool. This information system could be especially useful to small firms that do not have practical tools for managing better competitiveness in global knowledge environments.

Suggested Citation

  • Díaz-Chao, Ángel & Sainz-González, Jorge & Torrent-Sellens, Joan, 2016. "The competitiveness of small network-firm: A practical tool," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(5), pages 1769-1774.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:69:y:2016:i:5:p:1769-1774
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2015.10.053
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    4. Alexander Kalita & Alexander Chepurenko, 2020. "Competitiveness of Small and Medium Businesses and Competitive Pressure in the Manufacturing Industry," Foresight and STI Governance (Foresight-Russia till No. 3/2015), National Research University Higher School of Economics, vol. 14(2), pages 36-50.
    5. Williams Kwasi Peprah & Mensah Morris Ayaa, 2022. "The Convergence of Financial Decision, Business Strategy Through Organisational Competitiveness to Sustainable Competitive Advantage: A Conceptual Analysis," International Journal of Economics and Finance, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 14(2), pages 1-87, February.
    6. Luis Enrique Valdez-Juárez & Domingo García-Pérez-de-Lema & Gonzalo Maldonado-Guzmán, 2018. "ICT and KM, Drivers of Innovation and Profitability in SMEs," Journal of Information & Knowledge Management (JIKM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 17(01), pages 1-34, March.
    7. Feng-Shang Wu & Chia-Chang Tsai, 2022. "A Framework of the Value Co-Creation Cycle in Platform Businesses: An Exploratory Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-18, May.
    8. Anna KUKHARUK & Julia GAVRISH & Danyil ZMITROVYCH, 2017. "Managing the competitiveness in CIS countries and Ukraine: the goal and conditions," Eastern Journal of European Studies, Centre for European Studies, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, vol. 8, pages 115-136, June.
    9. Simone Bernardes Voese & Marcia Maria dos Santos Bortolocci Espejo & Mariana Planells, 2021. "Advance Demand Information as a Tool for Value Chain Planning of Biofortified Foods in Brazil," Journal of Agricultural Studies, Macrothink Institute, vol. 9(2), pages 421-444, June.
    10. Ballestar, María Teresa & García-Lazaro, Aida & Sainz, Jorge & Sanz, Ismael, 2022. "Why is your company not robotic? The technology and human capital needed by firms to become robotic," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 328-343.
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