Dynamic Business Contexts Research Articles

Generic Rivalry Strategies in Business Networks: Towards a Conceptualization

This paper discusses rivalry as a process of occupying incompatible positions within business networks. Rivalry is linked to different forms of strategizing as they unfold in stable and dynamic business contexts and a framework of four different types of rivalry is suggested. Furthermore, propositions with respect to under what business conditions these types of rivalry are likely to be found are proposed. Implications for management and research are discussed.

Educational level as moderating element of long-term orientation of supply relationships

In an increasingly complex and dynamic economic and business context, the study of the relationships that firms establish with their suppliers is a very important topic. Firms must use these relationships to ensure that the inputs they acquire are the most appropriate to achieve the desired product. But since not all firms, particularly SMEs, have personnel specifically trained to manage these relationships, or even to manage the firm itself, difficulties can sometimes arise in the management of the firm's supply function. The relationship marketing literature considers it beneficial to establish lasting relationships both with customers and with suppliers. It may be that people who are less well-educated academically are not aware of this situation. Thus, the current work aims to analyse the possible influence of the educational level of the purchasing/supply manager on the long-term orientation of firm-supplier relationships. Specifically, we use a sample of Spanish firms to analyse the moderating effect of this variable on the temporal orientation. Dividing the total sample into two subsamples – "better-educated" and "less well-educated" managers responsible for the supply function – we obtain some very interesting results and implications about the effects of trust, communication, cooperation, satisfaction and commitment on the temporal orientation of such relationships.