Cooperation versus coordination relations in SME networks: a new view of collective strategy dynamics

An alternative way of developing small businesses is to use collective strategies. A certain number of conditions (location, identity, positive contact with partners) form part of the collective strategy, which has, however, trouble in developing. The chapter looks at cooperation and coordination, which shed new light on the development of collection action. Only cooperation will enable creation of new resources (collective or non-collective). Coordination is satisfied with responding to the market and customer expectations without creativity, exchange or research, or using new resources. The importance of coordination links limits the development of new resources or skills and, moreover, collective dynamics. This research introduces into the analysis of cooperation or coordination in collective strategies the necessity to understand certain dynamics and to look at the way actors relate in detail. We have chosen to carry out an in-depth study on a specific case.