Inter-firm relationships have proved to be one of the most dynamic areas of business studies. A group of researchers from Europe - under the banner of IMP group - have been studying this field for the last three decades. These studies have resulted in several path breaking publications on different aspects of inter-firm relationships and have contributed towards the further development of theories in business research. The network approach introduced by this group in business studies is now an
established field of research. The present volume looks at learning aspects of these business networks. The present volume is edited by the two most prominent scholars from Uppsala school and looks at the learning effects of these business networks. Knowledge and learning acquired by firms through their internationalization activities and through relationships with other firms is in focus. It covers formal as well as less formal co-operative arrangements between companies, as informal business relationships are considered to contribute as much to the knowledge development of a firm as formal co-operative agreements.
As such this volume serves well to the main purpose of this series, which is to stimulate and encourage research on the new developments in the field of international business with special emphasis on marketing and management issues. We are thus very pleased to present this volume to our readers, as the most important contribution of this year and the very first
volume of this century. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the professional assistance provided to us by Elsevier Science Limited (Pergamon) through their highly supportive team: Sammye Haigh, David Lamkin and Neil Boon.
Inter-firm relationships have proved to be one of the most dynamic areas of business studies. A group of researchers from Europe - under the banner of IMP group - have been studying this field for the last three decades. These studies have resulted in several path breaking publications on different aspects of inter-firm relationships and have contributed towards the further development of theories in business research. The network approach introduced by this group in business studies is now an
established field of research. The present volume looks at learning aspects of these business networks. The present volume is edited by the two most prominent scholars from Uppsala school and looks at the learning effects of these business networks. Knowledge and learning acquired by firms through their internationalization activities and through relationships with other firms is in focus. It covers formal as well as less formal co-operative arrangements between companies, as informal business relationships are considered to contribute as much to the knowledge development of a firm as formal co-operative agreements.
As such this volume serves well to the main purpose of this series, which is to stimulate and encourage research on the new developments in the field of international business with special emphasis on marketing and management issues. We are thus very pleased to present this volume to our readers, as the most important contribution of this year and the very first
volume of this century. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the professional assistance provided to us by Elsevier Science Limited (Pergamon) through their highly supportive team: Sammye Haigh, David Lamkin and Neil Boon.
