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The purpose of this paper is to highlight the motivation for firms in emerging economies to engage in constraint absorption. It illustrates the mechanisms that enable business group (BG) affiliated firms to manage interdependencies vis-à-vis standalone firms in emerging economies.

The propositions outlined in this study are rooted in the theoretical lens of resource dependence theory (RDT). The authors integrate RDT with the resource-based view and institutional theory to explain the effect of BG affiliation on the relationship between the two types of interdependence (i.e. mutual dependence and power imbalance) and the likelihood of constraint absorption.

This paper theorizes that BG affiliation influences the relationship between mutual dependence/power imbalance and the likelihood of constraint absorption. However, if both the firms in a dyad are affiliated to a BG, the likelihood of constraint absorption is likely to be low owing to a process called “co-optation” even if mutual dependence or power imbalance between the firms is high.

This paper highlights how BG affiliated firms are better at managing contingencies in the external environment vis-à-vis standalone firms. This paper also advises managers that the type of organizational form is an important factor to be considered while engaging in constraint absorption in an emerging economy.

To provide a reference paper for managers responsible for procuring services, advocating the use of strong relationship models, based on co‐dependency and collaboration between the supplier and purchaser of services.

Based on a combination of research into this topic coupled with the authors empirical knowledge through consulting case studies. The theory, as derived from the research supports, reinforces the authors' findings from dealing with client projects.

Acknowledges that the burden of transaction cost economics encourages aggregation of the services supply chain which in turn, when managed carefully facilitates an improved working/partnering opportunity with a few select suppliers. The suppliers benefit in turn by increasing volumes, allowing them to protect margins and the purchasers benefit through overall lower total cost of service, more attentive suppliers and potentially a much enhanced working relationship.

Practical guide for both practitioners (facilities/property/technology managers) as well students involved in procurement/logistics, supply chain studies.

This paper fulfils an identified area of research and offers practical guidance on how to implement a programme that achieves enhanced service supplier relationships.

LIS has been described as a fragmented field in crisis, with an increased competition from other fields; and lacking in development of theories. The purpose of this paper is to articulate a strategy in which the perceived weakness can be seen as a source of strength.

The text builds mostly on reflections on meta‐theoretical and science‐organisation literature. Ten distinct problems for the research field are identified and discussed in order to provide a viable strategy for the future.

While it is common to suggest a convergent movement toward the idealised characteristics of the strong research discipline as a recipe against fragmentation, a strong convergent movement is suggested that feeds off the fragmented character of the field. What is commonly perceived as a weakness, the multidimensional character of the field, can be translated into a strategic resource.

The paper provides a fresh perspective on the strategic situation of LIS.

This study examines the leadership styles provided by women in top corporate positions. Three women – each president of a southern California apparel manufacturing company – were selected for case studies. Major findings show an integrative leadership model characterised by task commitment, demonstrated by a “hands‐on” approach to work, personal sacrifice, multi‐tasking and goal orientation; a commitment to personal relationships with employees, shown by an emphasis on teamwork‐collaboration, egalitarianism and concern for employees; and power sharing, shown by information sharing, autonomous decision making and employee development. This integrative leadership has a strong impact not only on how women deal with employees within their companies but also on how they deal with external business constituents. The study concludes by showing that this leadership style lays a foundation for future studies of women’s leadership in other types of apparel industries as well as in other fields.

A rapidly changing environment requires new thinking by strategic leadership – intangible competences must be cultivated. Suggests this is best approached through partnership between universities and corporations in the design of applied management research projects. Describes the creation of the International Consortium for Executive Development Research with this end in mind.

Collaborative networks (CN) are organizational forms that are especially enabled by innovations in the area of information and communication technologies. For an in‐depth understanding of CN a theoretical foundation is required. The purpose of this paper is to explain goal‐oriented and opportunity‐based CN with the help of existing and well‐known organization theories. A detailed overview about frequently mentioned concepts and theories in network studies is given and then a structured selection of theoretical approaches that are aiming to explain CN is discussed in detail. Finally, ten aspects for the existence and efficiency of CN are derived.

The approach taken in this work is based on a literature review and an impact analysis of the investigated organization theories along the life cycle of CN.

The result of the analysis shows that none of the investigated theories is able to describe the complex phenomenon of CN entirely and to clear all knowledge deficits. Therefore, multiple theories need to be considered as foundation.

This research represents a contribution to the theoretical body of knowledge in the field of CN. More specifically, it represents a first initial step towards the explanation of certain aspects of CN by means of existing organization theories.

The purpose of this paper is to review the current application of organization theory (OT) in the humanitarian supply chain (HSC) and identify the future OT-based research opportunities that can advance knowledge of humanitarian operations.

The study uses a systematic literature review methodology to identify the current status and future direction of the OT-based study in HSC literature. The applied theories are those that have been mentioned in at least two research articles in the HSC literature. The proposed theories are either adopted from the top four referred organizational theories in the supply chain literature or those that can explain the issue of information asymmetry in HSC.

The study identifies and describes eight organizational theories and their possible future research questions in HSC. Among these, the first four theories (i.e. resource-based theory, resource dependence theory, social exchange theory and contingency theory) have already been initially applied in the humanitarian field, while the remaining theories (i.e. institutional theory, stakeholder theory, transactional cost theory and information theory) have potential for future application.

The reviewed literature is limited to peer-reviewed journals listed in Thomson Reuters’ journal citation reports.

This study may help future researchers better understand and solve, using organizational theory, the behavioral challenges faced by humanitarian operations.

The study presents current applications of and future prospects for OT-based research in HSC, effectively providing the first review of OT applications in this area. The novel framework and new theories proposed herein may enable fresh directions for HSC research.

Economic development as a public initiative is traditionally designed to assist designated members of a society in their efforts to adjust to structural change and economic dislocation. The goal of a typical economic development program, while a public interventionist initiative, is to stimulate private sector economic activity, thereby alleviating the stress and damage associated with structural change and economic dislocation; in other words, to help fellow citizens and perhaps neighbours through an economic transition. These are honourable and worthy goals, but even here compassion, empathy, innovative thinking, and resources — especially resources — have their limits.

By examining SMEs’ participation in trade fairs as a way to establish network relationships within a global value chain (GVC), the purpose of this paper is to offer one example of the steps used to reach this goal.

The study uses a priori deductions derived from prior literature and case analysis of a purposive sample of six New Zealand SMEs to develop propositions on the use of trade fairs to enter a GVC network. The authors use the typology of GVC governance developed by Gereffi et al. (2005) to investigate how the use of trade fairs varies for each governance type.

The study concludes that international trade fairs offer great network-building possibilities for SMEs, as well as selling, promotion and information gathering benefits. Both theoretical argument and experiential evidence suggest that these benefits are contingent on the GVC’s governance type.

Although there is extensive work on the importance of networks to SME internationalisation, less has been done on the detailed steps used to build these networks.

The topic is the construct of interactive vulnerability in buyer‐seller relationships based upon mutual time‐ and relationship‐dependencies. The research is based upon a selection of focal dyads between a vehicle manufacturer and its most important suppliers. The principal contribution is a framework of operationalization and analysis of the construct of interactive vulnerability and an empirical illustration of interactive vulnerability in the automotive industry. A methodological contribution of the study is its dyadic approach of vulnerability in buyer‐seller relationships. Theoretical and managerial implications, as well as suggestions for further research, are provided.