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Small Firms and the Strategy of the First Mover

Author

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  • Julian Lowe
  • M. H. Atkins

Abstract

Timing of entry and the decision to be a leader or follower in products or markets is a complex decision and empirical evidence suggests that first movers do not always 'capture' all the potential benefits from being first. Small firms in particular are faced with problems when deciding on whether to be a first or later mover. Their strategies were examined using a sample of 264 firms in chosen industry sectors and specific external and internal factors were found to explain much of the variation in timing of entry strategies by these firms. In particular a composite measure of the technological turbulence that firms faced in their supply chain was seen as a crucial determinant of early entry whilst uncertainty as to general business conditions explained much of the late and non pioneering strategies. Even within this group of small firms, size also played an important role with the smallest companies tending to be the most pioneering

Suggested Citation

  • Julian Lowe & M. H. Atkins, 1994. "Small Firms and the Strategy of the First Mover," International Journal of the Economics of Business, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 1(3), pages 405-419.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:ijecbs:v:1:y:1994:i:3:p:405-419
    DOI: 10.1080/758536230
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    Keywords

    Small firms; First mover; Strategy; Technology; JEL classifications: D21; D43; M21;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D21 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Theory
    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection
    • M21 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Economics - - - Business Economics

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