849954 sisus

nets as well. In the focal nets created by the other actors there are intentions for
expansion, though the nets are not managerially or intentionally planned or designed.
The prevalence of triadic nets (BC, forwarder, receiver) both in inbound supply
and outbound deliveries is the basis of the net design in which the contractual
commitments set limits for responsibilities and stipulate divisions of costs between
the actors; because of the strong engagement in triadic relationships,
there is even a tendency to exceed the responsibilities beyond the contractual
obligations, which reinforces the strength of the net. Forwarders as integrators
aim at designing their activities not just by consolidation of single shipments but
also by co-ordination. The integrator-based nets share the same type of technology
(e.g. tracing and tracking of transportation units, purchase orders through
the Internet). Indeed, knowledge (explicit, tacit) can be one of the intangible resources
for starting to integrate the nets by consolidation. An integrator as a
central actor may establish information systems resulting in unified information
flows (syntax, info structures). In general, the technological net of BC is not so
relevant because e.g. SAP R/3 is used as common system architecture just on
intraorganisational/division level.
Social nets influence the nets implicitly (triadic, local) through embeddedness.
Behavioural responses, e.g. overreaction by the net members are channelled
through personal relationships and they can be interpreted as hostile interventions
causing disturbance for the net relationships. However, the effect is subtle
and sensitive, influenced by the degree of social bonding: especially the impact
of social relationships appears on the cognition and knowledge level. Mutual
confidence is gained through personal linking both on company and personal
level. Different forms of social exchange, like friendship or diverse spare time activities,
can influence the trust creation mechanism, attachment and attraction.
Even spoken words in interpersonal interaction expressing professionalism indicate
trustworthiness (e.g. how arguments are explained and the promises based
on them are kept). Communication either strengthens or weakens the social
linkage between the two actors. The frequency and intensity of the contacts in
communication at least force the actors to reconsider and re-evaluate the forces
of the net design. Accumulation of the knowledge-base stems from the past and
present incidents. Moreover, trust is an equal term for an exchange relationship
influenced by the degree of social bonding, though too strong net(work) engagement
in these nets is not a target.
Within the nets as basic constructs of supply networks (triadic, social, focal)
there is an expected scope of organisational behaviour commonly defined by the
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