Networking in Calabria: the case of totti industrie

Taylor, David W. and Reintano, A. (2006) Networking in Calabria: the case of totti industrie. EuroMed Journal of Business, 1 (1). pp. 37-50. ISSN 1450-2194

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Abstract

The early literature on learning in small firms has been linked to individual learning through training. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of networks as a vehicle for learning through knowledge transfer. It is how this network-learning takes place that this paper helps to elucidate. The focus in this paper is a particular ‘life or death’ decision point at Totti Industrie, a small religious clothing manufacturer in Calabria, Italy. A problem-centred approach was adopted in order to assess how the owner-manager learned to solve problems and ultimately arrive at a decision. Preliminary findings diverge from similar studies undertaken in the United Kingdom where networks are less extensive but utilised more completely to resolve business related problems. It is suggested that a more limited use of the wider network could be down to the intensity and vastness of network relations and the susceptibility of this wider-network to leakage of valuable company information.