What influences the propensity of a firm to cooperate?: an empirical study of high-tech SMEs in China

摘要

This study investigates the significant factors which determine a firm's ability to engage in technological cooperation. The framework builds on the resourced-based view and its extension theories, including strategic leadership, knowledge-based view and dynamic capability view of the firm. Data are collected from 133 high-tech small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in China. The results are concluded as: firm size has significant impact on the propensity of a firm to cooperate; R&D intensity and top leader's competence do not play significant role in adapting cooperation strategy. The study suggests inter-firm cooperation is not preferable to very small firms. Entrepreneurial small firms in their early stage have to grow by accumulating resources internally.