Auteurs
Anne-Marie CROTEAU
Pierre-Majorique LÉGER
Luc CASSIVI
Gaël LE HEN
Sylvain LASSERYE
Résumé
Building on the interorganizational relationships model proposed by Bensaou and Venkatraman (1995), this study seeks to gain a better understanding of this phenomenon by examining various types of relationships established between a German auto parts manufacturer and its business partners. The results suggest that taking into account the product and the business relationships life cycle concepts as well as the types of information (conveyance vs. convergence) exchanged through the various types of business relationships helps in better assessing interorganizational relationships. Indeed, four different relationships at various stages of their life cycles were observed and results indicate that analyzing interorganizational relationships without taking into account the evolving information processing needs and required capabilities associated with the life cycle stages and the information types would lead to a wrong diagnosis of the situation. In other words, disregarding the life cycle concepts implies that the average needs and capabilities of the relationship is correctly aligned when in fact it is not the case. The conclusion is that the phenomenon is bimodal and requires that the different information processing needs and capabilities associated with each stage of both the product and the business relationships life cycles should be considered. Without such caution, a biased conclusion could lead to inappropriate information and communication technology investments and business
decisions.
