The B2B relationship in industrial companies from the position of hidden champions: knowledge-intensive services for small business Online publication date: Fri, 05-Jul-2024
by Aimar Basañez-Zulueta; Jon Barrutia-Güenaga; Arturo Rodriguez-Castellanos; Emelina Gracia-Ramos
International Journal of Business Environment (IJBE), Vol. 15, No. 3/4, 2024
Abstract: SME access to advanced services is explored from a business and territorial perspective. Based on the term knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS), advanced services are conceptualised from this approach to define the existence of a KIBS function, which is not necessarily linked to organic structures explicitly declared as KIBS. A theoretical framework in which hidden champions are linked to KIBS has been established for this purpose and two propositions have been set forth. A qualitative analysis is used in two territories, the Basque Country (Spain) and the department of Antioquia (Colombia) to check them. The propositions were confirmed in both territories and a comparative analysis was also performed, which increases the robustness of results as the two areas belong to different geo-economic zones. The main conclusion is that hidden champions can act as KIBS to benefit SMEs in the area and territory where they are located.
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