Composition-based view of the firm as a promising approach to studying small businesses

Abstract Paper aims Extant Literature based on the resource-based view (RBV) of the firm suggests that it can be used to study organizations of all types and sizes. In essence, the RBV argues that firms that possess rare, non-imitable, valuable, unique, and non-substitutable resources will outperform firms that do not possess such resources. This study questions the applicability of this assumption to smaller businesses, which are likely to have common resources readily available in the market rather than rare, non-imitable, non-substitutable, unique, or valuable resources. The purpose of this study is to discuss whether the composition-based view (CBV) of the firm offers a more promising approach than the RBV to studying small businesses. Originality This study is one of the first to tentatively suggest a change in theoretical approach when studying small businesses. Research method A structured critical review approach is taken. Main findings The findings reveal that the CBV offers a more promising and appropriate theoretical framework than the RBV for research on small businesses, whereas the RBV is better suited to research on larger firms. Implications for theory and practice Future studies can use the RBV and the CBV to study large and small businesses, respectively.摘要 研究主旨：现有基于企业资源基础观（resource-based view, RBV）的研究文献表明，该理论可用于探讨各类规模与类型的组织。本质而言，资源基础观提出，拥有稀有、不可模仿、有价值、独特且不可替代资源的企业，其经营绩效将优于未持有此类资源的企业。本研究对该假设在小微企业中的适用性提出质疑——小微企业往往可便捷获取市场上的通用资源，而非上述稀有、不可模仿、不可替代、独特且具备价值的资源。本研究旨在探讨，相较于资源基础观，企业基于构成的观点（composition-based view, CBV）是否为研究小微企业提供了更具前景的研究路径。 原创性：本研究是首批试探性提出针对小微企业研究需转变理论路径的成果之一。 研究方法：本研究采用结构化批判性综述研究方法。 主要研究发现：研究结果显示，针对小微企业的相关研究而言，基于构成的观点（CBV）较资源基础观更具前景与适配性；而资源基础观则更适用于大型企业的研究。 理论与实践启示：未来研究可分别运用资源基础观与基于构成的观点，开展大型企业与小微企业的相关研究。