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Interfirm collaboration as a modernization strategy: A survey of case studies

  • Symposium Contrasting Perspectives on the Evaluation of Industrial Modernization
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Abstract

Interfirm collaboration (IFC) has been explored by organizations seeking a vehicle for the industrial modernization of small and medium-sized manufacturers. This paper offers five models of the impacts of IFC networks based on a survey of 123 case studies. The models examine the association between impacts of IFC with variables describing the origins, activities, and structures of networks. Impacts are measured through aggregate assessments of business expansion, bottom line savings, increases in projects, increases in membership, and increases in other benefits. We find that business expansion is associated most strongly with factors related to the origins of projects. Increases in membership and other benefits are most strongly associated with structural factors. Finally, bottom line savings and increases in projects are most closely associated with both origin and structural factors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332-0345, Atlanta, GA

    Gordon Kingsley

  2. School of Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology, 30332-0345, Atlanta, GA

    Hans K. Klein

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  1. Gordon Kingsley
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  2. Hans K. Klein
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Kingsley, G., Klein, H.K. Interfirm collaboration as a modernization strategy: A survey of case studies. J Technol Transfer 23, 65–74 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02511618

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