Abstract
The concept of inter-firm adaptations has been an important component of the IMP Interaction Approach since the first IMP study. Researchers working within the IMP tradition have put forward a number of taxonomies of adaptations, but no satisfactory definition of the concept. The management of inter-firm adaptations is a critical component of relationship portfolio management. In order better to understand this concept, and to support the formulation of inter-firm adaptation strategy, progress must be made towards a satisfactory definition and taxonomy of adaptation behaviour This paper reviews the previous work on adaptations and the various attempts to create taxonomies. Various definitions of adaptations are critically discussed and a refined framework proposed. The results of four in-depth interviews are used to explore how managers perceive buyer-seller relationships in terms of the five dimensions of adaptation postulated.
| Original language | English |
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| Title of host publication | 11th annual Industrial Marketing and Purchasing (IMP) Group conference |
| Publisher | University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology |
| Publication status | Published - 1995 |