Business Networks in an Auto-Component Cluster of India: A Study of Gurgoan Auto-Component Cluster

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to find out the different types of business networks formed by firms with the stakeholders present in a cluster, i.e. how firms in a cluster interact with the cluster stakeholders? This study uses an exploratory research design which is carried out in two stages, first stage involves use of primary data which was collected through semi-structured personal face-to-face interview mode and second stage involves survey research method where data was collected through survey questionnaire. The study has identified four types of business networks between a firm and its buyers, only one type of business network with the suppliers and educational institutes respectively, and lastly two types of business networks with government agencies. However with respect to business networks with other stakeholders like research institutes and competitors, the study shows that the interaction between a firm and these stakeholders remains largely unfilled.