Transcultural Cooperation in Global Networks. A Contribution to the Research Program of Relational Economics

This paper analyzes the manifold and far-reaching implications of considering cultural factors as resources for cooperation. Building on the theory of Relational Economics, it proposes a paradigm shift toward a transcultural approach which is understood to focus on commonalities in contexts of cultural diversity and to highlight the requisite conditions for generating local and transcultural cooperation rents. The success of cooperative value creation in regio-global inter-, intra-, and extra-firm networks depends not least on the individual and organizational abilities to engage in transcultural learning processes and to establish communities of practice across cultural boundaries. In addressing these issues, this paper focuses on analyzing the relevance of cultural factors for economic performance by conceptualizing them in terms of their potential to serve as transcultural commons, which includes deriving a consistent conception of culture that is conducive to such an endeavor, and contributing to an understanding of the relationship between transculturality and diversity. Ultimately, the aim is to more accurately depict volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous economic realities, and to open up new perspectives for successful transcultural cooperation in value creation networks of organizations.