Link to thesis. - Concept - NTNU

Figure 1 Basic structure of the industrial network model (Håkansson and Johanson, 1992:146)The variables are related to each other in an overall structure of networks (cf Figure 1), whichbasically is a matter of definition.Important characteristics of actors, according to Håkansson and Johanson (1992), are thecontrol over resources or activities or both. They can be individuals or groups of individuals,typically as parts of firms, firms themselves, or even groups of firms. Furthermore, it isimportant to acknowledge the notion of the goal oriented actors. This means that it is assumedthat the general goal of actors is to increase their control over the network. This implies thatthere is a power struggle present in the network described in the words of Håkansson andJohanson (1992:146):“[…] in a network, there are a number of conflicting and common interests as wellas efforts to provide for those interests. In this struggle the actors use theirknowledge of the network as well as their relationships with other actors in orderto increase their control. Furthermore, as the actors are at different organisationallevels this struggle takes place not only between actors but also within actors.”First of all, the text cited above underlines that the term actor does not label firms ororganisations but can also represent individuals or departments. Secondly, the anticipation ofa power struggle does not necessarily concern only the total network, but also the actors9