The paper gives an overview of major scientific approaches to inter-enterpr
ise relationships. A distinction is made between approaches that focus on b
usiness process integration (Supply Chain Management. Costing approaches),
approaches hat focus on organizational collaboration (Transaction Cost Theo
ry, Agency Theory), and approaches that focus on the business environment (
strategic Management, Network Theory, Resource Dependency Theory). Although
these approaches are different with regard to their perspectives on collab
oration, variables and methods, The paper shows that they are complementary
tools in the analysis and design of inter-enterprise relationships.