The Networked Firm in a Global World Small Firms in New Environments

This title was first published in 2000. Illustrated by a wide range of international case studies, this volume elaborates, extends and critiques one of the key models of local growth, which emphasizes learning, networking and 'embeddedness' in relation to the role of small and medium-sized firms (SMEs). In doing so, it provides a comprehensive understanding of the changing role of SMEs in an era of globalization.

Contents: Small firms, networked firms and innovation systems: an introduction, Eirik Vatne and Michael Taylor. Small Firms Versus Large Firms: Efficiency, Flexibility and Industrial Policy: Small and medium enterprises in space: the plural economy, Sergio Conti; Industrial network formation and regulation: the case of Japan’s SME policy, Yuko Aoyama. The Role of Smaller Firms in Complex Production Systems: Challenges and pathways for small firm sub-contractors in an era of global supply chain restructuring, Poul Rind Christensen; Industrial change and local competitive advantage: industrial production systems in Turin, Paolo Giaccaria; Sub-contractors, supplier parks and supply chain management: the case of Volvo’s arendal supplier park, Claus G. Alvstam and Anders Larsson; The unresolved question of new versus old: technological change and organizational response in the German chemical industry, Harald Bathelt. Localized Resources and Localized Learning: A Competitive Advantage?: Localized knowledge, interactive learning and innovation: between regional networks and global corporations, Bjorn T. Asheim and Arne Isaksen; Enterprise, power and embeddedness: an empirical exploration, Michael Taylor; Explaining the internationalization of SMEs: the importance of internal and local resources, Heikki Eskelinen and Eirik Vatne; Decline and renewal in industrial districts: the exit strategies of SMEs in consumer goods industrial districts of Germany, Eike W. Schamp; Modernizing the industrial district: rejuvenation or managerial colonization?, Bengt Johanisson; Notes; References; Index.

Eirik Vatne Professor of Economic Geography, Department of Economics - Economic Geography section, Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration, Norway. Michael Taylor Professor of Economic Geography, Department of Geography, University of Portsmouth, UK.