Authors: Frans Prenkert; Lars Hallén
This paper outlines a potential development of the network approach to business-to-businessmarketing based on Alderson’s theoretical works. The purpose is to assess the possiblecontribution to the development of models of markets-as-networks by integrating concepts ofthe Aldersonian framework. The conceptual analysis shows that business networks can beconceptualized as complex exchange systems comprising processes of sorting in terms ofassigning and assorting, processes of transformation in form, time, space, and ownership,along with five principal types of resources: conglomerate resources, composite resources,assorted resources, transformation outputs, and assortments. The Aldersonian concepts oftransformation in form, time and place are supplemented with the notion of transformation inownership. The notion of exchange is incorporated in this transformation of ownership, andthe concept of resources and processes in exchange systems are analyzed and exemplifiedusing a case illustration. In closing the discussion, implications for further research areindicated.
Journal: ( – )
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Publish Year: 2004
Conference: Copenhagen, Denmark (2004)