MULTIFACETED RELATIONSHIPS UNDER COOPETITION - DESCRIPTION AND THEORY

This article examines a growing form of interorganizational ''multifac eted'' relationship under ''coopetition,'' where a buyer, supplier, an d/or partner is also a competitor. We first describe different types o f such relationships and the strategic dilemmas they present. Then, us ing resource dependence and transaction cost theories, we consider the antecedent conditions for the formation of such relationships and dis cuss strategies for dealing with them. Finally, we consider questions for further study of these types of arrangements.