STRATEGIC LOGIC OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESSES - HOW TO IDENTIFY IT

This article classifies the tactics or strategies of small and medium-sized businesses, using an extension of the Porter model. It allows consideration of more detailed competitive activities which can be found in the specific management of SMEs. It was used to analyze the data gathered from 60 firms engaged in manufacturing operations in the province of Quebec. Everyday activities were assigned to their underlying generic strategy. The discussion of the results clarifies the issues at stake in the traditional debate over the possibility of strategically conducting lesser size enterprises.