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Dominant metaphors in the IMP network discourse: 'the network as a marriage' and 'the network as a business system'

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  • Alajoutsijärvi, Kimmo
  • Eriksson, Päivi
  • Tikkanen, Henrikki

Abstract

As the wide use of the network concept within and outside marketing implies, the term may be filled with different meanings depending on the textual and disciplinary context. This is true especially as far as the currently popular IMP (Industrial/International Marketing and Purchasing) group interorganisational networks research is concerned. Building on earlier contributions on the metaphorical nature of networks, we find it relevant to extend the scholarly discussion of how various network metaphors and the meanings attached to them are able to guide the current research in industrial and international marketing. In this article, we identify and explore two network metaphors that organise the research questions and subsequent research contributions within the research field. We name the two metaphors 'the network as a marriage' and 'the network as a business system'. Furthermore, we show evidence of how metaphors guide us towards asking specific questions and giving specific answers. It is our argument that these two metaphors leave certain, less-obvious or taken-for-granted aspects unexplored.

Suggested Citation

  • Alajoutsijärvi, Kimmo & Eriksson, Päivi & Tikkanen, Henrikki, 2001. "Dominant metaphors in the IMP network discourse: 'the network as a marriage' and 'the network as a business system'," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 10(1), pages 91-107, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:iburev:v:10:y:2001:i:1:p:91-107
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    2. Filipe J. Sousa & Luís M. de Castro, 2008. "How is the relationship significance brought about? A critical realist approach," FEP Working Papers 282, Universidade do Porto, Faculdade de Economia do Porto.
    3. Victoria Stephens & Lee Matthews & Joep P. Cornelissen & Hefin Rowlands, 2022. "Building Novel Supply Chain Theory Using “Metaphorical Imagination”," Journal of Supply Chain Management, Institute for Supply Management, vol. 58(1), pages 124-139, January.
    4. Matevž Rašković & Maja Makovec Brenčič, 2015. "The Trust-Committment-Flexibility Link in Transnational Buyer-Supplier Relationships: A Network Perspective," Tržište/Market, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb, vol. 27(1), pages 7-19.
    5. Lefebvre, Virginie M. & Molnar, Adrienn & Gellynck, Xavier, 2013. "The Role of Network Administrative Organizations in the Development of Social Capital in Inter-Organizational Food Networks," International Journal on Food System Dynamics, International Center for Management, Communication, and Research, vol. 3(3), pages 1-15, February.

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