Title: Enterprise development revisited: does coordination, relational skill and partner knowledge really matter?

Authors: Zahid Yousaf; Abdul Majid

Addresses: Department of Management Sciences, Hazara University-Mansehra, Pakistan ' Department of Management Sciences, Hazara University-Mansehra, Pakistan

Abstract: The objective of the current research is to find out the relationship of enterprise development with coordination, relational skill and partner knowledge. To examine this relationship we used correlation and hierarchal regression techniques and structural equation modelling using AMOS. The sample size consists of 246 respondents from small and medium enterprises. Results revealed that strong coordination and commitment for well-built patch up with partners and other alliance play an important role in up-gradation of existing potentials and capacities of the enterprise. Relational skills offer a passage of information to get knowledge about competitors, markets, distributors or customers, and enhance the developmental process. Properly constituted relationships with business alliance enable an enterprise to develop itself with entire satisfaction. The finding of this study suggests that partner knowledge provides competitiveness and helps in exploring opportunities. Furthermore, partner knowledge can be used as a strategic weapon; it stabilises a firm's position where necessary within an industry.

Keywords: enterprise development; relational skills; coordination; partner knowledge; small and medium enterprises; SMEs.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAMS.2017.084947

International Journal of Applied Management Science, 2017 Vol.9 No.2, pp.153 - 168

Received: 04 Jan 2016
Accepted: 11 Oct 2016
Published online: 09 Jul 2017 *

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