Interorganizational and interpersonal networks: the flow of strategic information between competing companies
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Keywords

board interlock
social networks
interorganizational networks
tryads
broker

How to Cite

Bitencourt-Fortes, M.-V., Wegner, D., & Peña-Ramírez, C. (2022). Interorganizational and interpersonal networks: the flow of strategic information between competing companies. Fórum Empresarial, 26(2), 31–56. https://doi.org/10.33801/fe.v26i2.19881

Abstract

The connections between companies called board interlock allow to obtain resources and create relationships. This practice, whether intentional or not, generates connections that involve the strategic core of the company. Thus, there is a channel for the flow of strategic information, even between competitors. Previous studies have identified the creation of these connections, but without exploring them at the level of individuals. Through an analysis of social networks (n=2184), results have been presented that help to identify different national contexts (the United States and Germany), where interpersonal networks have similar structures, although inter-organizational networks are structurally different. This finding is essential to map the control over the flow of strategic information. Finally, a new role of intermediation in triads is identified from the contextual analysis of the figure of the broker in a board interlock relationship.

https://doi.org/10.33801/fe.v26i2.19881
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