Abstract
The relationship among organisations is of growing interest due to the development and demands of the markets. Especially, since the formation rate of IORs has dramatically increased in recent years. The aim of this thesis is to explain the influence factors on interorganisational relations (IOR) and how they lead to either long term interorganisational forms with a high dependency, like alliances or joint ventures or to short term interorganisational forms with a low dependency, like networks or spot business. Based on the existing literature of IOR, three main influencing factors are identified: contracts, trust and frame conditions which lead to IOR forms with different degrees of dependency: spot business, networks, alliances and finally joint ventures. By combining transaction cost theory with the prominent theories and literature of these different research streams on IOR a theoretical model is developed on how these influence factors affect the degree of dependency and so lead to an IOR form with a low dependency or with a high dependency. Questionnaires were used to sample data to test this model using a positivistic approach. The study was conducted within the petrochemical industry where the regions Europe and Asia were compared. The results of this study illustrate the importance of and which role frame conditions, trust and contracts play on the willingness to enter into IORs with a high dependency. Furthermore, it implies that the VOC model by Hall and Soskice (2001, pp.1) has to be extended to the traditions and culture within a society by demonstrating the influence these have on the development of trust which then has a significant influence on the IORs. In addition, this thesis provides evidence towards the argument within the literature that contracts and trust support and oppose each other at the same time. Finally, evidence is given to support Europe as a coordinated market and Asia as a liberal market. Keywords Interorganisational Relations, Influence Factors, Trust, Contract, Frame Conditions, Environment, Dependency, Petrochemical Industry