Firm growth and supply chain partnerships: An empirical analysis of UKSME subcontractors

Wynarczyk, P. and Watson, R. (2005) Firm growth and supply chain partnerships: An empirical analysis of UKSME subcontractors. Small Business Economics, 24, pp. 39-51. (doi: 10.1007/s11187-005-3095-0)

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Abstract

This paper examines the performance of a sample of 211 U.K.subcontractors to evaluate whether differences in how they manage their supply chain relationships are associated with differences in (sales and employment)growth rates over two consecutive 3 year periods from 1993 to 1999.We identified 34 firms that had close partnership relationships with members of their supply chain. Our empirical findings indicate that firms with inter-firm partnership arrangements with members of their supply chain experienced significantly higher growth rates. These results suggest that inter-firm partnerships may facilitate more rapid and sustained SME growth,though further research is required to determine the role played by partnerships and the extent to which this may vary to reflect differing owner-manager motivations and growth opportunities.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Watson, Prof Robert
Authors: Wynarczyk, P., and Watson, R.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Accounting and Finance
Journal Name:Small Business Economics
Publisher:Kluwer Academic Publishers
ISSN:0921-898X
ISSN (Online):1573-0913

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