Title: What influences the propensity of a firm to cooperate? An empirical study of high-tech SMEs in China

Authors: Dan Chen

Addresses: School of Management, Shandong University, 27 Shanda Nanlu, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250100, China

Abstract: This study investigates the significant factors which determine a firm|s ability to engage in technological cooperation. The framework builds on the resource-based view and its extension theories, including strategic leadership, knowledge-based view and dynamic capability view of the firm. Data are collected from 133 high-tech small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in China. The results are concluded as: firm size has significant impact on the propensity of a firm to cooperate; R&D intensity and top leader|s competence do not play significant role in adapting cooperation strategy. The study suggests inter-firm cooperation is not preferable to very small firms. Entrepreneurial small firms in their early stage have to grow by accumulating resources internally.

Keywords: high technology; small and medium-sized enterprises; high tech SMEs; inter-firm cooperation; cooperation propensity; China; technological cooperation; resourced-based view; RBV; firm size; small firms; R&D intensity; research and development; leadership competence.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2011.041665

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2011 Vol.13 No.3, pp.350 - 365

Published online: 21 Oct 2014 *

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