Structural pathologies in inter-organizational networks and their consequences

Abstract

The literature about pathological phenomena within the inter-firm networks is very limited. Therefore the goal of this paper is to draw attention to the structural factors which create pathological situations in the networks and to the threat these situations pose to the development of the network system. We analyse structural pathologies associated with the position in the network, its density as well as a type of links between the companies in the network. Our analysis begins with a review of the benefits from the functioning in the network. We then presented the major structural pathologies in the networks and their threats. Finally, we described the consequences of pathologies which can be considered on three levels: the company, intra-network relationships, and the network as a whole.