TY - CHAP
T1 - Harmonisation Between the Small and Large Firm
T2 - Small Firms Adding Value but at What Cost?
AU - Miller, Christopher
AU - Williams, Trefor
AU - Daunton, Lyn
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 1999 E & FN Spon.
PY - 2003
Y1 - 2003
N2 - Small business theory recognises that there are significant differences between the large and small firm in terms of structure, management style and organisational governance. These differences are especially indicative of the construction industry in Industrial South Wales (ISW). Despite this diversity of form, it is important to acknowledge that interdependencies exist between large and small construction firms. In fact, it could be contended that large construction firms have encouraged the manifestation of small subcontracting entities within the industry through the process of retrenchment and disinvestment. Market conditions however, necessitate that small subcontracting firms are constantly in competition with each other and that increasing demands for low cost and flexibility by large contracting organisations effectively reduce the profit accrued by the small firm. This paper investigates this relationship and asks whether it is possible for harmonisation to exist between the subcontractor and the contractor that leads to mutual profit and added value for the client.
AB - Small business theory recognises that there are significant differences between the large and small firm in terms of structure, management style and organisational governance. These differences are especially indicative of the construction industry in Industrial South Wales (ISW). Despite this diversity of form, it is important to acknowledge that interdependencies exist between large and small construction firms. In fact, it could be contended that large construction firms have encouraged the manifestation of small subcontracting entities within the industry through the process of retrenchment and disinvestment. Market conditions however, necessitate that small subcontracting firms are constantly in competition with each other and that increasing demands for low cost and flexibility by large contracting organisations effectively reduce the profit accrued by the small firm. This paper investigates this relationship and asks whether it is possible for harmonisation to exist between the subcontractor and the contractor that leads to mutual profit and added value for the client.
KW - Harmonisation
KW - Industrial south wales
KW - Subcontracting
KW - Technologies and processes
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85133073741&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Chapter
AN - SCOPUS:85133073741
SN - 0419247602
SP - 125
EP - 131
BT - Profitable Partnering in Construction Procurement
PB - CRC Press
ER -