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| Author: | Leitner, K-H. Güldenberg, S. |
| Title: | Generic strategies and firm performance in SMEs: a longitudinal study of Austrian SMEs |
| Journal: | Small business economics
2010 : SEP, VOL. 35:2, p. 169-189 |
| Index terms: | small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) company performance strategy Austria |
| Language: | eng |
| Abstract: | Using a longitudinal study of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Austria, this paper explores the impact of generic strategies (hereafter as: str/s.) on firm performance. Data were collected for the period from 1992 to 2002. Dealt with are the traditional generic str/s. of cost-efficiency and differentiation. In addition, the group of firms is examined without a clear str/s. or firms being in the middle. Within this group, it is distinguished btw. those firms deliberately combining traditional low cost production and differentiation, firms changing their str/s. and those without any str/s. It is argued that in the long run, a combination str/s. be a viable strategic choice for SMEs. It is found that the majority of firms pursued a persistent str/s. during a 10-year period, but that companies changing their generic str/s. did not produce inferiour results to those that adhered to a single str/s. over the entire period. The results uncover that firms following a combination str/s. outperform companies without a generic str/s. as to profitability and growth etc. |
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