The influence of leader profile in the form of interfirms networks in the craft industry
Even if the development of inter-firm networks appears to be a strategic necessity for many craft firms, very little research deals specifically with this topic. This paper proposes to broaden the knowledge about the forms of networks in crafts industry, from a systematic analysis of their different dimensions and by introducing the influence of the leader profile in the design of these networks. Based on the study of 10 craft firms’ networks, the results permit to identify two distinct forms of network and to show that to commit one of these two forms is conditioned by the leader profile. It also highlights that, contrary to popular belief, craft companies can belong and build very structured and formalised networks, like their larger counterparts.