Designing a Model for Empowering Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises by Large Industrial Companies in Kerman Province

Nowadays, inter-organizational relationships and market expansion through mutual cooperation is gaining ground as an important factor that can increase organizational capabilities and boost organizational expansion. The role of small and medium-sized companies in meeting the market needs of large companies is thus a promising topic. The current study set out to design a model for empowering small and medium-sized enterprises based on the capabilities of large companies. To this end, the network of inter-organizational communications was initially identified and analyzed based on Social Network Analysis approach.  The central network issues were initially identified and, a model was designed, informed by the strengths and weaknesses of small and medium-sized enterprises, for their empowerment by large companies based on Grounded theory. To serve the purpose of designing the final model, the research data were coded through open, pivotal and selective coding systems. The findings from current study can help the identification and analysis of current collaborative networks and provide a model to enhance these collaborations.