Introduction
Inter-organisational networks are linkages that involve one or more relationships contract between two or more organisations. This essay describes all these relationships at a firm’s level; bearing in mind that managers are the central players in making key decisions for the firm. This describes how an organisation can manage its involvement in inter-organisational networks for sustainability. It includes a systematic development of inter-organisational networks. The main aim is to find out how these relationships develop, and how they influence the external environment of a firm.
Developing Sustainability through Establishing Inter-organizational links
The relationship between a company and its surrounding takes place when the firm interacts with other organisations. These organisations include financial institutions, NGOs, suppliers and competitors. However, relationships vary according to organisations. This develops a strong connection with other firms, organisations and other groups. These groups provide strategic support to the organisation, which leads to healthy ways of exchanging information and resources. This includes industrial and proficiency skills (Cropper, Huxham, Steve, and Chris, p. 312).
There are many types of organisational systems, which are always, willing to associate with pertinent firms. In a bid for sustainability, organisations can join with financial institutions as well as technological organizations. This is an essential step in a bid to create a networking system, which will eventually lead to a strong influence on the external market. The first step for an organisation in creating a networking platform is to establish linkages with the information technology firms. Information technology and other electronic links will create new ideas, and communication methods (Martens, Rudy, Sanchez and Ron, p. 78). This will, therefore, give the company an upper hand in getting acquainted with information throughout the world, thereby helping the organisation’s management to make decisions as per the current market trends. This should come along with a financial partnership from a chief financial institution whose work will be to oversee the implementation of the firm’s goals and objectives. At the same time, the management of the organisation should establish further contacts with marketing firms, and other firms in the market (Cropper, Huxham, Steve, and Chris, p. 317).
Establishing partnerships and coalitions with key organisations in the industry will lead to a strong base of decision-making and policy implementation. It is easy for an organisation to steer towards its mission with back up from like-minded organizations. Such a base will be useful when making decisions of what goods to market, as well as making decisions regarding the firms’ competitors. Financial back up from financial institutions will ensure that the firm is always able to acquire new facilities. This will keep it up to date with the necessary tools for its sustainability (Martens, Rudy, Sanchez and Ron, p. 122).
External environmental factors like competition, customers and resources may have an extreme negative influence on the organisation if not properly handled; however, building a strong network will help to influence the external environment of a business in various ways. First, through a strong base of networks, the organisation will develop strong marketing strategies and methods. It will also have an advantage of unique innovations that suit the customers’ needs. This will give it a competitive edge with other players in the market (Cropper, Huxham, Steve, and Chris, p. 337). Secondly, being in contact with the technological environment and financial sector will mean that the organisation already has a close relationship with some of its external environmental factors, hence; it will be able to cope with all technological advances as well as have support from a large number of financers. Linking with suppliers will enable the company to have a constant supply of good resources at favourable prices.
Conclusion
Building a strong inter-organisational network is the best way for an organisation to manage its external environment. Good links with other organisations in the field help to create a balance between the internal and external environment of an organisation, which results to sustainability. Such a firm will be able to meet the needs of environment without compromising the future generation.
Works Cited
- Cropper, Steve, and Huxham, Chris. The Oxford Handbook of Inter-organizational Relations. New York: Oxford Handbooks, 2010. Print.
- Martens, Rudy, and Sanchez, Ron. Competence Building and Leveraging in Inter- organisational Relations. Amsterdam: Emerald Group Publishing, 2008. Print.