Inter-organizational relations (IOR), the study of Strategic Alliances, Joint Ventures, Partnerships, Networks and other forms of relationship between organizations, is a field of study that has burgeoned over the last four decades, but is fragemented, drawing contributions from a wide variety of disciplines, theoretical bases, and sectoral interests. The Oxford Handbook of Inter-Organizational Relations provides a structured overview of the field. With contributions from leading international experts on their particular areas of expertise, it is an authoritative introduction to its research findings.
The material is organized in three main sections.
The first relates to research that focuses on particular manifestations of IORs such as industry, supply, policy and project networks, public and voluntary sector partnerships, strategic alliances, and so on.
The second section relates to research that stems from distinct disciplinary or theoretical bases, including social networks, evolutionary theory, transaction cost economics, management process, psychology, critical theory political theory, economic geography, and the legal perspective.
The third section focuses on key topics in contemporary IOR topics - or those that will become so in the future. These include, trust, power, development interventions, social capital, learning and knowledge, dynamics and change, and evaluation.

Inter-organizational relations (IOR), the study of Strategic Alliances, Joint Ventures, Partnerships, Networks and other forms of relationship between organizations, is a field of study that has burgeoned over the last four decades, but is fragemented, drawing contributions from a wide variety of disciplines, theoretical bases, and sectoral interests. The Oxford Handbook of Inter-Organizational Relations provides a structured overview of the field. With contributions from leading international experts on their particular areas of expertise, it is an authoritative introduction to its research findings.
The material is organized in three main sections.
The first relates to research that focuses on particular manifestations of IORs such as industry, supply, policy and project networks, public and voluntary sector partnerships, strategic alliances, and so on.
The second section relates to research that stems from distinct disciplinary or theoretical bases, including, institutional theory, social networks, evolutionary theory, transaction cost economics, management process, psychology, critical theory political theory, economic geography, and the legal perspective.
The third section focuses on key topics in contemporary IOR topics--or those that will become so in the future. These include, trust, power, development interventions, social capital, learning and knowledge, dynamics and change, and evaluation.

The varying organizational arrangements between firms - "networks" - are a growing field of study for economics and sociologists. Whether described as strategic alliances, trading networks, joint ventures, or regarded as a product of industry structure or local conditions, they are seen as a form of economic co-ordination distinct from archetypal ideas of firms and markets. The purpose of this collection - with contributions from European and American scholars - is to blend empirical research with conceptual discussion of networks under three main headings: resource flows, mutual expectations, and information flows. The contributors come from varying backgrounds: organization studies, economics, business history, marketing, and information systems. Together they are concerned with when, why, and how firms engage in inter-organizational networking, rather than relying on arms-length market relations or in-house procurement. This book is intended for academics and postgraduate students of organizational theory and behaviour, business strategy, economics, sociology, and marketing.

In recent years, the networked firm has been widely perceived by both managers and management scholars as a promising organizational form. This book analyses when, why, and how firms engage in different forms of inter-organizational networking, such as strategic alliances, joint ventures, and long-term accords for collaboration among competitors as well as with suppliers and customers. The contributors outline how firm strategies, catalysts and trust between actors shape the emergence and the forms of inter-organizational collaboration.

Welche Faktoren sind es, die in erster Linie den Erfolg eines Unternehmens steuern? Noch vor einigen Jahren hStten Betriebswirtschaftler und Praktiker diese Frage wahrscheinlich in weitgehender Obereinstimmung mit Hinweisen auf das Planungs und Kontrollsystem des Unternehmens beantwortet. Sicherlich hatte auch eine motivierende Fuhrung eine hohe Prioritat eingenommen. In jungster Zeit haben zunachst Unternehmensberater einen neuen entscheidenden Erfolgsfaktor "entdeckt" Die Organisationskultur. Ihre Basis ist ein Wertsystem, eine Unternehmensphilosophie, die m6glichst von allen Angeh6rigen des Unternehmens geteilt werden soli. Mythen, Legenden, Rituale und Symbole vermitteln die Unterneh mensphilosophie, sorgen dafUr, daB sie von allen Unternehmensmitgliedern verstan den und von ihnen in entsprechende Aktivitaten umgesetzt wird. Die Unternehmens kultur, so versichern die Unternehmensberater, verstB.rkt nicht nur Einbindung und Motivation der Mitarbeiter, sie sorgt auch in effizienterer Weise als formale Planungs und Kontrollsysteme fUr eine Koordination. Sie f6rdert auch Innovationen und stellt zugleich deren Ausrichtung an die Unternehmensstrategie sicher. Unternehmensberater bieten bereits Programme zur Formung der Unternehmens kultur an. Komplexe Steuerungssysteme, an deren Aufbau sie jahrzehntelang inten siv mitgewirkt haben, sollen mit ihrer Hilfe nun wieder abgebaut werden, damit sie einer motivierenden Organisationskultur nicht im Wege stehen."