Small and medium enterprises clustering and collaborative commerce - a social issues perspective

Authors

Michelle Rowe, Edith Cowan University
Janice Burn, Edith Cowan University
Elizabeth Walker, Edith Cowan University

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publisher

Centre for Regional Innoviation and Competitiveness

Faculty

Faculty of Business and Public Management

School

School of Management

RAS ID

2850

Comments

Rowe, M. A., Burn, J. M., & Walker, E. A. (2005). Small and medium enterprises clustering and collaborative commerce - a social issues perspective. Proceedings of CRIC Cluster Conference. Ballarat. Centre for Regional Innoviation and Competitiveness.

Abstract

This paper deals with the social psychology associated with networks of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), especially from the perspective of social identity theory. The focus is on collaborative networks of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and collaboration around information technology (IT) which is known as collaborative commerce or c-commerce. Since little research regarding this aspect of social psychology has been undertaken with respect to collaborative business networks this paper raises issues and seeks to clarify them in the business context. Further research is required to further investigate how social identity theory 'fits' the business realm and the role it plays in explaining collaborative behaviour.