Export Consortia in Developing Countries ─ Succesful Management of Cooperations Among SMEs

The book analyzes export consortia from the strategic management perspective. It builds on an empirical analysis of nine export consortia promoted by UNIDO in developing countries between 2004 and 2007. The book is based heavily on actual export consortium experiences, in order to combine a rigorous research approach with a more pragmatic view of the phenomenon. The material will be of interest to a variety of readers. Scholars in the field of management represent the authors' primary target. The book includes a literature review which combines the topics of SME internationalization, strategic networks, and the issues which relate specifically to SME alliances in the form of export consortia. Entrepreneurs and executives will find useful business models and management tools for the successful design and implementation of export consortia. Insights into the functioning of export consortia may also be of interest to policy-makers and institutions that develop support programs for the growth of SMEs in developing countries.

Donatella DEPPERU is Professor of Business Administration and Strategic Management at the Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan and Director of CERSI, Center for the Entrepreneurial Development in Cremona. She is Vice President of the Italian Academy of Management (AIDEA). From 2000 to 2009 she was member of the Executive Committee of the European Academy of Management (EURAM). Her main research and teaching activities are in the field of strategic management and international business, focusing on: internationalization of small and medium sized firms; process of strategy formation and business planning; strategic alliances and M&A. Daniele CERRATO, PhD (University of Salerno, Italy, 2002), is currently Assistant Professor of International Business at the Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Piacenza (Italy). He teaches international management and business administration. His research interests include international strategies, internationalization process of firms, and theory of the multinational enterprise. He has published in refereed journals including International Business Review and European Management Journal. Fabio ANTOLDI is Professor of Strategic Management, Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan and Co-Director of CERSI, Center for the Entrepreneurial Development in Cremona. He is Director of the Division “Small Business and Industrial Districts” of ALTIS, the Postgraduate School of Business & Society of Universita Cattolica in Milan. His main areas of research and teaching at present are: management of SMEs; entrepreneurship; family business; clusters and networks of SMEs.