Dependence of companies on inter-organisational networks: an analysis beyond the benefits generated

The objective of this study is to verify the drivers of company-network dependency relationship and how these are evaluated in different phases of evolution of inter-organisational networks. A qualitative study was carried out through semi-structured interviews conducted with 20 entrepreneurs from ten different networks that were intentionally selected. Resources dependence theory and its assumptions, as well studies about benefits or competitive factors generated by collaborative relations between companies, were used as a base to identify and define the variables of this study. The results demonstrated that the generation of the dependence of the companies happens with the evolution of the networks and with their capacity to generate competitive advantages for them. The empirical evidences showed that the dependence of the companies with the networks is due to several resources generated by them.