141 ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION Vol 11, No 2, 2010, pp 141–150 Cooperative micro-firm strategies Leveraging resources through learning networks Leana Reinl and Felicity Kelliher Abstract: Learning networks are highlighted in contemporary literature as a means of leveraging resources to create and sustain competitive advantage in micro-firms. Despite their importance in the context of micro-firm development, micro-firm learning, learning processes and networks have previously been neglected as an area of academic study, and there is limited evidence of successful cooperative strategies in this environment. The aim of the research discussed in this paper is to cata- logue micro-firm learning criteria in a cooperative network environment and to propose a framework of cooperative learning for that milieu. Adopting an action research methodology, primary research was carried out on a Tourism Learning Network (TLN) initiative. Cooperative network activity and individual learning were observed and documented by the researchers over two years. Based on the research findings, the authors propose a framework of cooperative learning that offers insight into how network structures, support and interrelationships may facilitate learning process completion in the micro-firm environment. Keywords: micro-firm; cooperative learning networks; resource-based view Leana Reinl is a Research Assistant and Felicity Kelliher is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Business, Waterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford, County Waterford, Ireland. E- mail: lreinl@wit.ie; fkelliher@wit.ie. Micro-firms are defined as companies with no more than 10 full-time employees (European Commission, 2005) for the purposes of this study. Learning networks are highlighted in contemporary literature as a means for leveraging resources to create and sustain competitive advantage in micro-firms (Chell and Baines, 2000; Devins et al, 2005; Hannon et al, 2000; Witt, 2004). Despite their importance in the context of resource optimization and small business development, micro- firm learning networks have previously been neglected as an area of academic study (for example, Brown and Duguid, 1991; Down, 1999; Devins et al, 2005; Sullivan, 2000; Kelliher et al, 2009). This paper seeks to address this gap by establishing insights into an environ- ment in which cooperative micro-firm learning strategies can be nurtured through a formal learning network programme (Ahmad, 2005; Kelliher et al, 2009; Mäkinen, 2002). The aim of this research is to catalogue relevant learning criteria and to propose a framework of coopera- tive learning in a micro-firm network environment. The paper is structured as follows: the literature review establishes the criteria relating to micro-firm cooperative learning, from which the authors offer a catalogue of influencing factors on micro-firm learning in a coopera- tive network environment. Adopting an action research methodology, the primary research focuses on a Tourism Learning Network (TLN) initiative, within which cooperative network activity and individual learning were observed and documented by the authors over a