A Study of Business Networks in Pune Auto-component Cluster of India

Abstract

This paper aims to identify the different types of business networks formed by firms with the participants present in an auto-component cluster by using an exploratory research design. The study is being carried out in two stages, first stage involves use of semi-structured personal face-to-face interviews 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 type of business network with suppliers, only one type of business network with educational institutes, four types of business networks with research institutes, lastly two types of business networks with government agencies. However with respect to networks with other stakeholders like financial institutes and competitors the study shows that such networks remains largely unfilled which is the area of concern for policy makers. The identified business networks provide a much deeper understanding of how firms connect with its buyers, its suppliers, government agencies, research and educational institutes operating in an auto-component cluster.