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Co-operation Mechanisms in the Portuguese SMEs’ Production and Outsourcing Activities

Enterprising Places: Leadership and Governance Networks

ISBN: 978-1-78350-642-2, eISBN: 978-1-78350-641-5

Publication date: 1 January 2014

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this chapter is to investigate the different business co-operation mechanisms within two different Portuguese industries, with particular regards to the nature of the industry and to the places in which these industries are embedded.

Methodology/approach

This chapter uses qualitative data to explore the mechanisms associated to forms of business co-operation in enterprising places.

Findings

Manufacturing industries require a particular location of activities and, in many cases, these firms cluster in local productive systems. In such cases, co-operation mechanisms assume particular forms. Production is a critical business activity in traditional manufacturing industries, while its relative importance is smaller for other industries.

Research limitations/implications

The findings obtained in this research do not allow generality of the results. However, it provides an in-depth explanation of the mechanisms of business co-operation taking place in enterprising places and elsewhere.

Originality/value of the chapter

This chapter compares two contrasting Portuguese industries, allowing to suggest that some of the business co-operation mechanisms are particular of certain business contexts. It contrasts a manufacturing, traditional and geographically concentrated industry (furniture) with a service-based, modern and geographically dispersed industry (events organisation). In addition, it allows to gain insights on the evolution of business co-operation as it uses data collected from two different generations of entrepreneurs within the furniture industry.

Keywords

Citation

Braga, V. (2014), "Co-operation Mechanisms in the Portuguese SMEs’ Production and Outsourcing Activities", Enterprising Places: Leadership and Governance Networks (Contemporary Issues in Entrepreneurship Research, Vol. 3), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 75-96. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2040-724620140000003010

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2014 by Emerald Group Publishing Limited