As Korean economy has rapidly fluctuated in the boarderless international competitive situation, knowledge-based service such as consulting takes an important role in providing competitive advantage. There have been about 180 consulting companies for ...
As Korean economy has rapidly fluctuated in the boarderless international competitive situation, knowledge-based service such as consulting takes an important role in providing competitive advantage. There have been about 180 consulting companies for small-medium sized firms(CCSMF), registered in Small-Medium Business Agency since 1986.
There has been little research on the CCSMF'S performance, practical roles, related business difficulties, and their impact on small-medium sized firms' management. Thus, the objectives of this research are to investigate major factors to influence small-medium sized firms' satisfaction, and reuse intention with respect to CCSMF's performance. Also, this study examines the differences in small-medium sized firms' performance of cost and time savings between the consulting service experienced group and the inexperienced group. In addition, the perceptual differences between CCSMF and small-medium sized firms with respect to CCSMF's performance, satisfaction, and reason for dissatisfaction
A survey was conducted to collect the data with two types of questionnaires. One type was administered to small-medium sized firms, either service experienced or inexperienced. The other type was distributed to CCSMF The final samples used in the analyses were 52 of service experienced firms, 50 of inexperienced firms, and 53 of CCSMF.
Services of regression analyses were employed to examine the relationship among the perceptual factors of CCSMF's performance, satisfaction, and reuse intention. In addition, ANOVA, x2 test, and t-test were conducted for exploring the differences mentioned above.
The study results show that the CCSMF's performance of behavioral work attitude, specific knowledge, and managerial support significantly influence the small-medium sized firms' satisfaction and reuse intention. Reuse intention for CCSMF was found to be significantly affected by CCSMF's after service perception, the number of consultants engaged in the service, behavioral work attitude, and managerial support. The difference in tax savings between consulting service experienced and inexperienced firms was statistically significant. That is, the consulting service experienced group saved related tax and business initiation expanse than the inexperienced group. Further, the perceptual differences in CCSMF's after service performance, satisfaction, and reasons for dissatisfaction were found. CCSMF perceive their performance of after service, and satisfaction more highly than small-medium sized firms. Most striking thing was that about 50% of service experienced firms complained lack of CCSMF's practical business support.
The results of this research are shown to provide several relational aspects between consulting company and client company. This research offers meaningful implications for CCSMF's business practice and strategy.