Title: The business forecasting process: a comparison of differences between small and large Canadian manufacturing and service firms

Authors: Benito E. Flores, Gary L. Stading, Robert D. Klassen

Addresses: Mays Business School, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA. ' MMBA Department, School of Business, University of Houston – Downtown, Houston, TX 77002–1001, USA. ' Richard Ivey School of Business, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 3K7, Canada

Abstract: Forecasting is one business practice that is especially important for business enterprises because good forecasting techniques can lead to better business plans. In this paper, a comparison of differences between large and small Canadian manufacturing and service firms is conducted to examine if differences in forecasting techniques exist between these firms. The results show that enough of a difference exists of large firms over small firms, and also of service firms over manufacturing firms, that subsidising forecasts with quantitative techniques suggests improved performance. This study supports a managerial strategy encouraging managers to consider applying additional resources to forecasting efforts.

Keywords: survey methodology; business forecasting; small firms; large firms; manufacturing firms; service firms; Canada; performance improvement; management; enterprise development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMED.2007.013152

International Journal of Management and Enterprise Development, 2007 Vol.4 No.4, pp.387 - 402

Published online: 10 Apr 2007 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article