Seeing stars : exploring constellation network types relative to the six forces
Date
2006
Authors
Ingraham, Laurie
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Management
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Management, 2006
Abstract
This research begins with a review of those forces that constrain the attractiveness of industries. This includes the Five Forces (power of buyers, power of suppliers, threat of substitutes, threat of new entrants and industry rivalry) developed by Michael Porter (1980) and a Sixth Force (public interest) more recently introduced by Carr (2006). A typology is then developed consisting of six collaborative, within industry, inter-organizational alliances or constellation network types. It is posited that each of these constellation types will be observed in an industry when there is a need to ameliorate the specific forces to which they are linked. Following this theory development, an empirical test of one of the constellation <-> force matches is undertaken by searching for the presence or absence of Social Action and Legitimation Constellations where an industry is seen to be vulnerable to the Sixth Force of public interest as measured using the negative screening determinations of socially responsible investment funds.
The study findings support the hypothesized relationship with twenty-eight Social Action and Legitimation constellations being identified across the eight industries deemed most at risk for public interest intervention. Alcohol, nuclear power and industries open to animal welfare concerns show the strongest use of such constellations. Results are mixed, however, with some industries such as adult entertainment having little or no apparent interest in collaborative networks of this type.
Description
viii, 92 leaves ; 29 cm
Keywords
Strategic alliances (Business) , Business planning , Public interest , Competition