AUTHOR
Eriksson, Erik; Lundberg, Niclas

DATE
2001-01-15

DEPARTMENT
Business Administration and Social Sciences / Industrial Organization

SUMMARY
This study addresses the importance of companies that work as a locomotive for the economical development in industrialised districts. According to literature, an open climate between the locomotive company and their subcontractors enables exchange of knowledge and as an effect gives the other companies in the district an overall increased competence. The purpose of our study is to discuss whether two large companies in the north of Sweden may be categorised as locomotive companies or not. We chose to carry out case studies at SSAB Tunnplåt in Luleå and Rönnskärsverken in Skellefteå to see if they fulfilled the locomotive company characteristics described in the literature. By interviewing relevant respondents at the investigated companies, four subcontractors and two external actors, we came to the conclusion that neither SSAB Tunnplåt nor Rönnskärsverken could be categorised as locomotive companies.

ISSN 1404-5508 / ISRN LTU-SHU-EX--01/008--SE / NR 2001:008