A business network approach to learning in buyer–supplier relationships

This chapter explores the learning processes within buyer-supplier relationships and their impact on broader business networks. Learning in organizations is defined as the modification of routines through interaction with the environment, encompassing activities like joint production, problem-solving, and skill development. Organizational learning is complex, occurring at various levels and involving changes in routines and behaviours. Learning within buyer-supplier relationships becomes even more complex, as it involves changes within more than one organization. The theoretical foundation is based on the IMP perspective, which emphasizes the interaction processes between firms over time, leading to economic, social, and technical exchanges. As relationships evolve, interdependence and learning become integral, with business relationships interconnected within wider networks.