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The triad is the smallest unit of network in which both direct and indirect relationships
are typical; a dyadic relationship contains just direct relationships. When
nets are classified, the following three basic constructs can be identified: first the
involvement of a third actor is gradually increased in a dyadic relationship between
a seller and a buyer (practically in global sourcing e.g. freight forwarder,
carrier, Third Party Logistics service provider (TPL), an integrator as a service
provider; Area A in Fig. 1 above), second a triad as a sequential system (third
party as a neutral intermediary; Area B), and third a triad between equals (three
heterogeneous partners with different, though complementing tasks intending to
work in a more co-operative way; Area C).
There are two generic triads, serial (no central actor) and unitary ones (central
actor included), (Havila, 1996, Gadde, Håkansson, 2002). The serial triad (Area
B) is an entity in which the core role of the intermediating actor is to mediate
(Havila 1996, p. 36); in unitary triads the core role of this intermediary is unique
and involves specific tasks. If the two links (relationships) from the intermediating
actor to the other two actors are strong and at the same time the link between
the other two actors is weak, a unitary triad can evolve. Theoretically, the
network should not have any central or core actor dominating the performance
inside the net limits, though recently e.g. integrators have been more active in
expanding their business on the global market place. The launching of common
information technology implying excellence over others can be a source of
power in these interventions, providing co-ordination as well. In global sourcing
situations the third party can be either an intermediary, working on behalf of the
shipper or receiver, an integrator, or some other service provider.
The question of the role of the integrator has a lot of theoretical and practical
debate in global sourcing situations (see e.g. Andersson, 1997, Berglund, 1997,
Herz, 1993). In this sense, area A in Figure 1 illustrates triadic relationships appropriately.
The integrator can be a standard service provider or a service developer.
A standard service provider offers simple standardised services,
whereas a service developer offers advanced value added services for each
customer according to their specific demands. The customer adaptor takes over
the customers’ existing activities, thus improving the efficiency. The customer
developer tries to offer new and innovative services.
As regards the local areas representing nets, some researchers use the term to
explain the embeddedness of the actors because of the strong geographical aspects
of all nets (Tikkanen, 1997, p. 70 footnote). Cova et al. (1998, p.206) distinguish
between two types of terms which are conceptually identical but functionally
different: net(works) of proximity (referring to spatial but also to cultural
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