Networking And Cooperation Of Small And Medium Sized Firms In Cross - Border Regions

During the last twenty years, and in the frame of rapid globalisation, technology is causing significant changes to the organisation of firms. In the European Union these significant changes have reinforced the European economy, though they have also led to reclassifications and a rise in competition within the Union, and they have created significant problems in less competitive regions. The transitional process in former socialist countries has created (or uncovered) inequality levels that are a completely new phenomenon for Europe. The course of events has resulted in winners and losers. Presently and following the market unification and the enlargement of the E. U., many border regions have found themselves at the centre of development, while others have become even more marginalized and are undergoing profound changes. The fordist system has gradually lost its significance and alternative models have been developed. Among these, it is believed that “flexible specialisation” offers the shortest route to development, especially for regions undergoing a phase of crisis and restructuring. Market mechanisms seem to reward flexible and innovative corporate organisation strategies. A corporate model involving intensive networking and cooperation is being promoted, whereby relatively smaller firms are being invited to play a more important role with respect to the past. An empirical study was carried out with the use of questionnaires in order to examine the model of flexible specialisation and networking by small and medium sized border firms. The study covers tourism firms that are active within the geographic triangle of Greece – Albania – Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Through the processing and cross-referencing of the study data it has been possible to develop a “model for the cooperating small and medium sized tourism firm” and to identify its characteristics.