A resource‐based taxonomy of manufacturing MSMEs

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a contemporary resource‐based taxonomy of manufacturing micro, small, and medium‐sized enterprises (MSMEs) and to relate the findings to other small to medium‐sized enterprise (SME) taxonomies and to resource‐based theory.

Design/methodology/approach

Cluster analysis of 186 Swedish manufacturing MSMEs. The cluster analysis is based on resources and capabilities. The cluster variables were identified through case studies and a literature review of contemporary studies in resource‐based theory.

Findings

The cluster analysis resulted in identification of six different clusters: Ikeas, conservatives, technocrats, marketeers, craftsmen, and nomads. The results are related to other SME taxonomies and the usefulness of going beyond the one‐dimensional scale of entrepreneurs and non‐entrepreneurs is discussed.

Originality/value

Classifications of firms, for example the Miles and Snow typology, have been used successfully in numerous studies. Also, the resource‐based view of the firm has had a great impact on business research and there has been increasing interest in MSMEs. However, there are very few contemporary resource‐based taxonomies of MSMEs.

Citation

Andersén, J. (2012), "A resource‐based taxonomy of manufacturing MSMEs", International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, Vol. 18 No. 1, pp. 98-122. https://doi.org/10.1108/13552551211201394