Discovering the Dark Side : A Multiple Case Study of IOMC Instability in Triadic Relationships

Abstract: Title: Discovering the Dark Side: A Multiple Case Study of IOMC Instability in Triadic Relationships Authors: Adam Hargrave, Iqra Ashfaq Mian, and Jan Peter van der Zwet Background: Within IORs, knowledge, activities, and resources are increasing shared amongst organisation members to obtain some sort of strategic advantage. Typically, forming a triadic relationship. Therefore, IOMC practices are regularly used to shape, support and control activities across the triadic relationship, but conversely, literature has not explored the instability certain shared IOMC systems can bring to partners through its complexity, triadic complexity, and instability drivers. Therefore, the investigation of IOMC’s instability influence on triadic relationships is investigated to contribute to the academic literature and organisations studied.  Purpose: The purpose for the research conducted is to investigate the shared IOMC in triadic, inter-organisational relationships that influence instability in buyer-supplier triadic relationships. Methodology: A multiple case study has been conducted through semistructured interviews. A critical realism perspective, descriptive-exploratory, and abductive research methodology was enacted. Analysis and Discussion: The multiple cases show that complexities in the from of triadic complexity and IOMC design complexity may lead to the drivers that introduce IOMC instability in the triadic relationships. The literature discussed is linked to the empirical findings and a research model is proposed. Conclusion: The conclusion discusses the theoretical and managerial implications of the presented research and possible future research opportunities of IOMC instability in triadic relationships.