Restructuring for Agility How Creative SMEs Restructure Resources to Remain Agile in Dynamic Industry Conditions
Keywords
Loading...
Authors
Issue Date
2025-07-01
Language
en
Document type
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Title
ISSN
Volume
Issue
Startpage
Endpage
DOI
Abstract
This study explores how creative SMEs in the Netherlands are restructuring their resources to remain agile in a dynamic and uncertain environment. In creative industries, characterised by short product cycles, changing customer demand and project-based work, traditional resource planning is often insufficient. Based on 13 semi-structured interviews, this study illustrates how companies adopt two strategies: resource recombination (creatively reusing and combining materials, expertise and designs) and resource reconfiguration (adapting supplier structures, work allocation and internal processes).
Both strategies strengthen each other and contribute to supply chain agility, the ability to react quickly and effectively to disruptions and changes. Trust relationships with suppliers, informal knowledge sharing in the work floor and the use of technology to support craftsmanship appear to be crucial mechanisms. In addition, how companies interpret sectoral dynamics (as structural or temporary) appears to influence their strategic choices. This study contributes to the literature on dynamic capabilities and shows that agility in small creative firms emerges from practical improvisation and relational coordination, rather than from formal planning systems.
Description
Citation
Supervisor
Faculty
Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen