A perspective of partnerships based on interdependence and dialectical theory

Business partnerships can serve as a significant source of competitive advantage. The present paper extends the business relationship literature by melding interdependence and dialectical theory from the marriage literature with extant buyer-seller partnership concepts in the development of a framework that contributes further insight to understanding interorganizational relationships. We examine the viability of borrowing conceptions from a nonbusiness domain through qualitative field interviews with relationship participants representing multiple functions on both sides of partnership dyads. This work holds important implications for future exploration and management of buyer-seller partnerships. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.