At The Moment

At the moment I am at my high school working on my year long sophomore research paper. I chose my topic to be on larger companies vs. smaller companies, specifically why larger companies seem to be more successful. My dad owns a small rafting company (Action Whitewater Adventures aka AWA) on the South Fork of the American River down in Coloma, CA (http://www.actionwhitewater.com). Now from my point of view my dad runs a tight ship; he seems to care about his customers and tries to give them the best trip possible and yet he is still one of the smallest companies on the river. This got me to thinking; what makes the large companies so large? Are they more successful? If so, what is meant as the definition of success? Are they run better than smaller rafting companies? If not, then why are they continually getting boosted above all and pulling more numbers annually? What are the operational differences of smaller rafting companies and those of a larger company? Is one clearly more superior to the other? Maybe you guys could help me with this being as to I'm stumped. All the research I'm doing hasn't lead me anywhere. I still don't understand how little companies such as my dad's who seem to go above and beyond for their clients seem to get jaded in the end.

In this post, by The Regeneration Station, it is said that "One of the biggest differences between these two environments is the amount of resources available. And not just money, but availability of up-to-date equipment and expert consultants. Large companies have very deep pockets, and money is committed to provide scientists with the best and most up to date technologies to perform their work. There are also a wide variety of experts in various fields that you have access to if you need niche expertise. In contrast, small companies don’t have the capital to buy much large equipment, and even nice fluorescent microscopes can be hard to justify let alone a new confocal. There will be many tasks that you will need to learn how to do yourself, as there aren’t as many hands available to perform the work. In small companies you need to be very resourceful, and make contacts at the local university to gain access to up to date equipment or expertise. Advantage: big company" (http://regeneration-station.com/2008/01/25/large-vs-small-companies-pros-and-cons/ -Direct Quote)

This might be true in most other businesses but it seems in the rafting industry that that is quite the opposite. It seems that the larger companies to want the cheaper way out while the little companies want to get to the top, so the little companies are buying some nicer equipment, trying anything and everything to get on top.

Have any ideas, insights, facts, opinions....anything and everything would be greatly appreciated!

-Dylan