An Analysis of Sub-Contracting Relationships Based on the Sub-Contractor/Customer Technology Exchange Portfolio: Some Empirical Findings*
Abstract
In the last decade, subcontracting relationships have assumed a particular weight in the strategy of managers searching/or efficiency, flexibility, and quality. Subcontracting is not a new industrial practice. Reasons and ways firms' recourse to it have changed. Exchange relation ships have become highly complex in their nature. In order to manage complexity, multiple channels for the coordination of the activities are developed, and an intensive exchange of technology is established. This paper reports some findings of an empirical exploratory study aimed at investigating the nature of technology flow in the customer firm/subcontractor interaction. A sample of Italian small and medium subcontractors was considered.
References
Allen, TJ. {1977).Managing the Flow of Technology (1986). Cambridge, MA: the MIT Press.
Daft, R.L. & Lengel, R.H. {1986).Organizational information requirements, media richness and structural design. Management Science. 32(5), 1383-1403.
Esposito E., and Raffa, M.(1991, June), Supply in hi-tech industry: the role of the small businesses. Proceedings of the 36th ICSB World Conference, Vienna.
Galbraith, J.R. (1973). Designing Complex Organizations. Reading, MA: Addison Wesley.
Hallen L., Johanson, J., & Seyed-Mohamed, N. {1991, April). lnterfinn adaptation in business relationships. Journal of Marketing, 55, (29-37.
Harlcer P.T. & Vargas, L.G. (1987). The theory of ratio scale estimation: Saaty's analytic hierarchy process. Management Science, 33(11), 554-571.
Hayes, R.H. & Wheelwright, S.C. {1984). Restoring our competitive edge: Competing Through Manufacturing. New York: Wiley.
Lazerson, M. (1990). Subcontracting as an alternative organizational form to vertical-integrated production. Department of Sociology, State University of New York.
Nelson, R.R. & Winter, S.G.{1982). An Evolutionary Theory of Economic Change. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Saaty, T.L. (1980). The Analytic Hierachy Process. New York: McGraw Hill.
Sagel, F. {1988). Partnership between small and large finns: the case of Japan. Partnership Between Small and large Firms. London: Grahm&Trotman.
Starbuck, W.H. (1992). Learning by knowledge intensive firms. Journal of Management Studies, 29(6), 713-740.
The Technology Atlas Team {1987), Components of technology for resources transfonnation. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 32(1).
Thompson J. (1967). Organizations in Action. New York: McGraw Hill.
Weick K.E. (1979). The Social Psychology of Organizing. Reading, MA: Addison Wesley.