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Extroverts and introverts: small manufacturers and their information sources

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  • EDWARD J. MALECKI
  • RYAN M. POEHLING

Abstract

This paper investigates the information sources used by 50 small manufacturing firms in North Florida, USA, for a number of regulatory and competitive purposes. Some sources are used on a regular, ongoing basis, permitting the classification of firms as extroverts or introverts, depending on the number of sources used. The two groups are significantly different in their use of external information for non-routine issues that appear. Although customers are overall the most frequently used external information source, they are prominent only for competitive matters, such as product development, new mandates and exporting. Government agencies, on the other hand, are the sources most frequently turned to for regulatory matters, including environment, worker safety and local land use regulations. The most versatile information source for both extroverts and introverts is the small manufacturer's network of ‘other firms’, which is the only source used by most firms for problems concerning labour. The detailed examination of information source usage permits the preliminary identification of firm personality types with respect to external information.

Suggested Citation

  • Edward J. Malecki & Ryan M. Poehling, 1999. "Extroverts and introverts: small manufacturers and their information sources," Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 11(3), pages 247-268, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:entreg:v:11:y:1999:i:3:p:247-268
    DOI: 10.1080/089856299283191
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    Cited by:

    1. Pedro Monteiro & Teresa De Noronha & Paulo Neto, 2013. "A Differentiation Framework for Maritime Clusters: Comparisons across Europe," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 5(9), pages 1-30, September.
    2. Sarah Lyon-Hill & Margaret Cowell & Scott Tate & Albert Alwang, 2019. "Barriers and Drivers to Accessing and Using Workforce and Technical Assistance Resources for Small and Medium Manufacturers (SMMs) in Rural Regions," Economic Development Quarterly, , vol. 33(1), pages 51-60, February.
    3. Christos Kolympiris & Nicholas Kalaitzandonakes, 2013. "Geographic scope of proximity effects among small life sciences firms," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 40(4), pages 1059-1086, May.
    4. Murphy, James T., 2002. "Networks, Trust, and Innovation in Tanzania's Manufacturing Sector," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 30(4), pages 591-619, April.
    5. Rune Fitjar & Andrés Rodríguez-Pose, 2013. "The geographical dimension of innovation collaboration: Collaboration and innovation in Norway," ERSA conference papers ersa13p878, European Regional Science Association.
    6. Rune Dahl Fitjar & Andrés Rodríguez-Pose, 2014. "The geographical dimension of innovation collaboration: Networking and innovation in Norway," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 51(12), pages 2572-2595, September.
    7. Skuras, Dimitris & Tsegenidi, Kyriaki & Tsekouras, Kostas, 2008. "Product innovation and the decision to invest in fixed capital assets: Evidence from an SME survey in six European Union member states," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(10), pages 1778-1789, December.
    8. Päivi Oinas & Edward J. Malecki, 2002. "The Evolution of Technologies in Time and Space: From National and Regional to Spatial Innovation Systems," International Regional Science Review, , vol. 25(1), pages 102-131, January.
    9. Edward J. Malecki, 2001. "Going digital in rural America," Proceedings – Rural and Agricultural Conferences, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, issue Sep, pages 49-68.
    10. Masurel, E. & Nijkamp, P., 2009. "Bridging the gap between institutions of higher education and small and medium-size enterprises," Serie Research Memoranda 0037, VU University Amsterdam, Faculty of Economics, Business Administration and Econometrics.
    11. Bodas Freitas, Isabel Maria & Geuna, Aldo & Rossi, Federica, 2013. "Finding the right partners: Institutional and personal modes of governance of university–industry interactions," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 42(1), pages 50-62.
    12. Mayer, Heike, 2021. "Wirtschaftliche Entwicklung und Innovationsdynamiken in Kleinstädten," Forschungsberichte der ARL: Aufsätze, in: Steinführer, Annett & Porsche, Lars & Sondermann, Martin (ed.), Kompendium Kleinstadtforschung, volume 16, pages 140-154, ARL – Akademie für Raumentwicklung in der Leibniz-Gemeinschaft.
    13. Tiia Vissak, 2001. "The impact of foreign direct investments on host country’s exports," University of Tartu - Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, in: Urmas Varblane (ed.), Foreign Direct Investments in the Estonian Economy, edition 1, volume 9, chapter 5, pages 269-306, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, University of Tartu (Estonia).
    14. Marisa Cesário & Maria Teresa de Noronha Vaz, 2012. "Technological adjustments in the textile, clothes and leather industries: an alternative pathway for competitiveness," Chapters, in: Charlie Karlsson & Börje Johansson & Roger R. Stough (ed.), Entrepreneurship, Social Capital and Governance, chapter 14, pages 325-357, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    15. Richard Shearmur, 2015. "Far from the Madding Crowd," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 46(3), pages 424-442, September.
    16. Lechner, Christian & Dowling, Michael & Welpe, Isabell, 2006. "Firm networks and firm development: The role of the relational mix," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 21(4), pages 514-540, July.
    17. Doblinger, Claudia & Surana, Kavita & Anadon, Laura Diaz, 2019. "Governments as partners: The role of alliances in U.S. cleantech startup innovation," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(6), pages 1458-1475.

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