Inter-firm co-operation capability : a processual empirical study on networking family firms

Abstract

This study examines inter-firm co-operation capability both conceptually and empirically. The central questions to be examined in this study are as follows: 1) What is inter-firm co-operation capability?, 2) How can it be described by using the concepts of networking and inter-firm co-operation?, 3) What has been the role of learning, trust and commitment in the inter-firm co-operation and networking process? The conceptual analysis rests mainly on the theories of interorganisational studies (network approach) and education. The multiplicity and heterogeneity of the phenomenon led quickly to the conclusion that no one-dimensional approach alone would be adequate to describe the inter-firm co-operation capability in the context of networking family firms. Accordingly, inter-firm co-operation is defined, in the context of networking family firms, as consisting of the following capabilities: Social 'Networking' Capability, Management Capability, and Learning Capability. At the empirical level, the role of learning contributes to knowledge creation, the role of trust contributes to value creation, and the role of commitment contributes to trust creation of the networking process of family firms. The empirical results of the study suggest that inter-firm co-operation is a simultaneous learning process for the owner-managers, as well as for the networking family firms. This, if any, is a result of the developmental process of inter-firm co-operation capability, and has an influence on the competitiveness of the whole network. Furthermore, the values, attitudes, and beliefs of the owner-managers reflect their family business culture, and the culture of each family firm influences the development and quality of inter-firm co-operation capability. The conclusion of this processual empirical study is that both inter-firm co-operation capability and family business culture are the main contributors to the competitiveness of the family firm network. The phenomenon of inter-firm co-operation capability is studied here in the context of family business. Family business takes into account the interests of both family and business. When the complex system and its operating environment are taken into account, owner-managers of the family firms have the key role in creating and establishing network relationships. Both the conceptual and empirical discussion should be limited to the family business context only, and therefore, any generalisations should be made very cautiously outside of this context.

Tarja Niemelän tutkimus osoittaa, että yritysyhteistyö on oppimisprosessi sekä omistajajohtajille että verkottuneille perheyrityksille. Yritysyhteistyön kyvykkyys kehittyy verkostoitumis- ja oppimisprosessin aikana. Oppiminen, luottamus ja sitoutuminen ovat keskeisiä tekijöitä, jotka edistävät uuden tiedon, arvon ja luottamuksen syntymistä ja lisääntymistä verkostoitumisprosessin eri vaiheissa. Tutkimuksen päätelmänä on, että yritysyhteistyön kyvykkyys ja perheyrityskulttuuri vaikuttavat perheyritysten muodostaman verkoston kilpailukykyyn. Lisäksi omistajajohtajien arvot, asenteet ja uskomukset heijastavat heidän perheyrityskulttuuriaan. Siksi jokaisen perheyrityksen oma kulttuuri vaikuttaa myös yritysyhteistyön kehittymiseen.