Title: It depends on a context. A conceptual study into the context-dependency of networking activities

Authors: Heli Sissonen

Addresses: School of Business, Lappeenranta University of Technology, PO Box 20, FI 53851 Lappeenranta, Finland

Abstract: This study rises up the significance of understanding the contextual effects of business environment on networking activities, i.e. so-called context-dependency. Networking companies must be aware of the surrounding business, its supply networks and relationships as well as differences due to the product being manufactured and the task being given to the collaborating party. After this understanding, the operations required in the collaboration can be adjusted to the environment. In this article, the literature of supply management is followed when creating a framework which can be used when finding out the context-dependency of networking activities. According to this framework, the networking activities are affected by network, supply chain, relationship and organisational level factors in addition to product and task characteristics. The study lacks empirical evidence which is the most significant topic for a further research.

Keywords: context dependency; networking activities; supply chain management; SCM; collaboration; coordination.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMCP.2008.021274

International Journal of Management Concepts and Philosophy, 2008 Vol.3 No.2, pp.190 - 204

Published online: 14 Nov 2008 *

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