The impact of collaboration or collaborative behaviour on the level of internal integration: Case study of Slovenian retailers and motor vehicle repair companies

Collaboration or collaborative behaviour presents an important aspect of company success that may also be visible in the way the level of internal integration is percepted. Due to the fact that successfully implemented internal integration is linked to the success of the company, influencing factors need to be further explored. As such, collaboration is a known factor that influences the level of internal integration. In the following paper, its connection with internal integration will not only be proven but is of key importance. Defining internal integration and its level and connection with the level of collaborative behaviour forms the basis of the research part of this paper. The research is not limited from the viewpoint of analysing just two functions or sectors in a company. This paper further investigates a general connection between collaboration and integration, that is, independently from the functions. The quantitative research part investigates whether and to what extent the level of collaborative behaviour influences the level of internal integration. Research is based on quantitative analysis of data, collected from Slovenian companies.