TY - JOUR AU - Hanna, V AU - Walsh, K Y2 - 2014/05/21 Y1 - 2008/06/01 SN - 0266-2426 UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11343/27970 AB - This article evaluates interfirm cooperation among small manufacturing firms. Networks of small firms work together on numerous activities such as marketing, procurement or manufacturing; however, are certain `enablers' necessary for successful cooperation? To answer this question networking activities among small manufacturers were investigated. Over the course of 12 months 23 in-depth interviews were conducted: 7 with network brokers (network brokers identify opportunities, bring small firms together and facilitate cooperation), 2 with small firm business associations with an acknowledged stance on the benefits of small firm cooperation and 14 with small firms engaged in interfirm cooperation. These semi-structured discussions explored the key characteristics of successful networks, the motives for initiating a cooperative relationship, how firms managed appropriation concerns and how they coordinated tasks.The findings indicate a clear demarcation between networking activities that are led by brokers and those that are created of the participating firms' own volition. LA - English PB - SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD KW - Business and Management T1 - Interfirm cooperation among small manufacturing firms DO - 10.1177/0266242608088740 IS - International Small Business Journal VL - 26 IS - 3 SP - 299-321 L1 - /bitstream/handle/11343/27970/255101_110609.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=n ER -