Cross-cultural issues facing small firms collaborating with international partners: a case study

Authors: Nitha Palakshappa and Mary Ellen Gordon

Abstract: There has been a substantial increase in the number and variety of collaborative business relationships formed in recent years. While such relationships might be important for all firms, they are likely to be even more crucial for smaller firms with scarce internal resources. Despite their recognised importance, many challenges are inherent in managing collaborative relationships, and again these may disproportionately affect small firms. These issues are illustrated using the case study of a collaborative relationship between a New Zealand (NZ) specialty chemical firm and a Japanese trading house. The case data reveals that both firms experienced difficulties attributable to differences in culture.