How SMEs Can Manage Their Networks: Lessons Learnt from Communication in Animal Swarms

The aim of this paper is to extend our understanding of business network management, especially from the viewpoint of SMEs operating in a B2B context. The paper focuses on exploring swarm intelligence to create new thinking on the management of business networks. Thus, the interaction between business organisations is at the heart of the network approach that we adopt throughout this research. Our research suggests that different managerial tools - such as network mapping, business models, partner evaluation and LCC tools - can be utilised as communication means also by SMEs. In accordance with the lessons learnt from the collective efforts in animal swarms, this study suggests that SMEs can also manage their business networks through communication.