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Vertical Co-operation in Creative Micro-Enterprises: A Case Study of Textile Crafts of Matiari District, Pakistan

Author

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  • Mohsin Shafi

    (Business School, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China)

  • Yongzhong Yang

    (Business School, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China)

  • Zobi Khan

    (Business School, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China)

  • Aixian Yu

    (Business School, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China)

Abstract

Despite their cultural and economic importance, creative micro-enterprises have received very little attention from academia research, especially with respect to vertical co-operation—customers and suppliers—and innovation. This study aims to fill the literature gap by studying how vertical co-operation improves the performance of micro-enterprises in textile crafts through innovation. A questionnaire was used to collect data from creative micro-enterprises in the textile craft sector operating in the Matiari District of Pakistan. To test the construct validity of the research, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were conducted, and to examine the hypotheses, the bootstrap re-sampling method was used with the SPSS PROCESS macro developed by Hayes. The findings of this study indicate that vertical co-operation positively and significantly affects the innovation and performance of creative micro-enterprises in textile crafts. In addition, we find that innovation plays a significant mediating role between vertical co-operation and performance. Furthermore, contrary to some studies, we empirically provide evidence regarding innovation in craft in terms of product development (design, size, shape, color, etc.), improvement in quality, and replacement/modification of tools.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohsin Shafi & Yongzhong Yang & Zobi Khan & Aixian Yu, 2019. "Vertical Co-operation in Creative Micro-Enterprises: A Case Study of Textile Crafts of Matiari District, Pakistan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-16, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:3:p:920-:d:204974
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    Cited by:

    1. Yongzhong Yang & Mohsin Shafi, 2020. "How does customer and supplier cooperation in micro-enterprises affect innovation? Evidence from Pakistani handicraft micro-enterprises," Asian Business & Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 19(5), pages 530-559, November.
    2. Mohsin Shafi & Liu Junrong & Yongzhong Yang & Deng Jian & Imran UR Rahman & Mahdi Moudi, 2021. "Factors Influencing the Consumer Acceptance of Innovation in Handicraft Products," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(4), pages 21582440211, December.
    3. Zhenzhen Qin & Yao Song & Yang Jin, 2019. "Green Worship: The Effects of Devotional and Behavioral Factors on Adopting Electronic Incense Products in Religious Practices," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-15, September.
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    5. Zobi Khan & Yongzhong Yang & Mohsin Shafi & Ruo Yang, 2019. "Role of Social Media Marketing Activities (SMMAs) in Apparel Brands Customer Response: A Moderated Mediation Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-19, September.
    6. Yongzhong Yang & Mohsin Shafi, 0. "How does customer and supplier cooperation in micro-enterprises affect innovation? Evidence from Pakistani handicraft micro-enterprises," Asian Business & Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 0, pages 1-30.
    7. Mohsin Shafi & Md Nazirul Islam Sarker & Liu Junrong, 2019. "Social Network of Small Creative Firms and Its Effects on Innovation in Developing Countries," SAGE Open, , vol. 9(4), pages 21582440198, December.

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