Towards a theory of interfirm adaptation in business relationships
本文构建了一个统一的概念框架，解释企业为何以及如何在商业关系中相互适应，为研究者提供分析工具。
This paper aims at developing the theory of interfirm adaptation in business relationships. The paper adds to earlier research by developing a theoretical structure for the analysis of interfirm adaptation. While it is well established in literature that companies adapt their product and service offerings, as well as their processes of production and delivery to account for the evolving needs of customers or suppliers, our understanding of why firms can pursue adaptations in business relationships and how adaptations happen or fail to materialize remains an enduring puzzle. This paper contributes towards a theory of interfirm adaptation in business relationships by presenting a unifying conceptual framework that connects 1) the bases of interfirm adaptation, and 2) the processes of interfirm adaptation. This unifying conceptual framework gives researchers a coherent set of analytical tools to assume, champion, and experiment research on interfirm adaptation in business relationships. • Theoretical underpinnings of interfirm adaptation in business relationships. • Interests and entitlements explain why firms pursue adaptations in business relationships. • Interactions and precedents explain how interfirm adaptation happens or fails to materialize. • A unified conceptual framework of interfirm adaptation enabling researchers to explain outcomes of adaptations.