Resumen

VILLARREAL SOLIS, Francisco Martín  y  GOMEZ ROMERO, José Gerardo Ignacio. Integration in small and medium size enterprises in the furniture manufacturing sector of Durango, Mexico. Contad. Adm [online]. 2009, n.227, pp.49-68. ISSN 0186-1042.

Small and medium enterprises around the world share two characteristics: they are the most numerous and they have many size-related problems. Integration is a strategy that can be used to transform these weaknesses into strengths and it can be analyzed in two dimensions: vertical and horizontal. Integration can be used to control the different stages of the value chain and to make strategic alliances with the competition to achieve a synergy that benefits every participant. The present study explores the furniture industry of Durango because of the importance of the forest-related industries in the local context. An instrument was developed in order to diagnose integration which took into consideration the type and extent of integration shown by the companies, its possible influence on their permanence and profitability, and the characterization of the enterprises and their owners.

Palabras llave : Vertical integration; horizontal integration; profitability; permanence; value chain; strategic alliances.