Interfirm segregation

Date and country of first publication

1995
United States

Definition

Interfirm segregation refers to the separation and division of firms based on various factors such as industry, market segment, or geographic location. It is a phenomenon where firms with similar characteristics tend to cluster together.

There are several reasons why interfirm segregation occurs. One reason is the need for collaboration and knowledge sharing within the same industry. Firms that operate in the same industry tend to face similar challenges and can benefit from sharing information and resources.

Another reason for interfirm segregation is market differentiation. Firms may specialize in specific market segments or target different customer groups, leading to segregation based on their target markets.

Geographic location is also a factor contributing to interfirm segregation. Firms often cluster together in specific regions or cities due to factors such as proximity to suppliers or customers, access to skilled labor, or regional industry specialization.

Interfirm segregation can have both positive and negative consequences. On the positive side, it can foster collaboration and innovation within the industry, promote competition, and create economies of scale. On the negative side, it can lead to information asymmetry, limited access to resources for firms outside the cluster, and reduced competition in the local market.

To overcome the negative effects of interfirm segregation, policymakers and industry stakeholders can promote cross-industry collaboration, encourage knowledge sharing and networking among firms, and provide support to firms located outside major clusters.

Related segregation forms

Interfirm segregation is frequently discussed in the literature with the following segregation forms:

gender segregation, occupational segregation, interfirm gender segregation, neighborhood segregation, role segregation

This visualization is based on the study The Multidisciplinary Landscape of Segregation Research.

For the complete network of interrelated segregation forms, please refer to:

• First year of publication

• Louvain clusters

• Betweenness centrality

• Disciplines in which segregation forms first emerged (Scopus database).

Interfirm segregation appears in the following literature

Carrington W.J., Troske K.R. (1995). Gender segregation in small firms. Journal of Human Resources, 30(3), 503-533. https://doi.org/10.2307/146033

Carrington W.J., Troske K.R. (1998). Interfirm segregation and the black/white wage gap. Journal of Labor Economics, 16(2), 231-260. University of Chicago Press.https://doi.org/10.1086/209888

Müller T., Ramirez J. (2009). Wage inequality and segregation between native and immigrant workers in Switzerland: Evidence using matched employee employer data. Research on Economic Inequality, 17(), 205-243. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1049-2585(2009)0000017014