RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
A1 Estélyiová, Kristína
A1 Koráb, Vojtěch
T1 Network cooperation of small and medium enterprises in the South Moravian Region
JF Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis
YR 2014
VO 58
IS 3
SP 41
OP 54
DO 10.11118/actaun201058030041
UL https://acta.mendelu.cz/artkey/acu-201003-0004.php
AB Competitiveness of national economies depends in great part on technological development and implementation of knowledge from science and research in practice. The phenomenon of cooperation represents an integral part of these processes. While its bounded forms, like mergers and acquisitions are relatively embedded in the Czech Republic, the advantages of less formal partnerships have been gradually discovered just recently.In the paper we focus on a special type of cooperation called networks. In order to get an initial overview, we introduce some of the basic definitions, as the specialized literature lacks single explanation and categorization. Within the framework of our research we have focused on such purposeful connections of small and medium enterprises that bring benefits for both sides and lead to the growth of competitiveness. The aim of the article is to investigate the prerequisites of interfirm network operation in the South Moravian Region.The first part of the paper introduces network cooperation, especially the motives standing behind network set-up, the typology of networks and the role of networks at regional level. Then we briefly describe the South Moravian region, where our investigation has been made. We focus especially on the demonstration of the most powerful and perspective economic branches in which we consider networks very important. This base is further extended by the information received in the South Moravian Innovation Centre, an interest association of legal persons having experience especially in research institution - company cooperation. The operation of a partnership network is analyzed on the case of DC Concept, a. s., a company from Brno producing and developing information system for middle and large companies. We introduce the six types of their partners, the system how the network works and the motives lying behind.The paper is based on the information gained during the pre-research which falls within the scope of doctoral dissertation research focusing on network creation of small and medium enterprises in a certain region.