The evolution of interorganizational relationships bibliographic investigation

Abstract

This study investigates how the field of interorganizational relationships (IORs) has evolved by mapping its intellectual structure, tracing thematic developments, and identifying emerging research opportunities. Bibliographic analysis of 1,071 articles retrieved from Web of Science (WoS) was conducted. Authors employed co-citation and co-word analysis techniques of VOS viewer application. The research finding of co-citation identified three major thematic clusters which being maned following subjective judgement of authors as: relationship management, building comparative advantage, and embedded networks & organization performance. The findings reveal a clear pattern of growth of scholarly development from 1975 to 2024. The growth marked by increasing of publication volume, diversification of research contexts, and the rise of new keywords. Co-occurrence analyses of keyworks into the co-citation themes found that relationship management frames IORs as an ambidextrous governance capability balancing contractual safeguards and relational governance. Comparative advantages emphasize how firms leverage interorganizational collaboration, dynamic capabilities, and ecosystem engagement to achieve resilience and long-term competitiveness. Embedded networks & organization performance highlight the role of absorptive capacity, open innovation, and systemic cooperation in driving firm performance and sustainability. This study contributes to IORs scholarship by offering a comprehensive intellectual map, highlighting how themes have evolved and where future inquiries should focus. RESEARCH PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to provide an intellectual structure map of IORs, trace thematics development over time, and identify emerging topics for future research. RESEACH MOTIVATION: Although the field of IORs has gained significant scholar interest over the years and has evolved significantly across sectors and contexts, prior reviews have tended to approach narrow or sector-specific scope. Therefore, those approaching leave the broader intellectual foundations and evolutionary trajectory of IOR research underexplored. RESEARCH DESIGN, APPROACH, AND METHOD: This study employs a bibliometric research design to systematically examine the evolution of IORs scholarship. Dataset was retrieved from WoS. The two techniques being applied to analyze were co-citation analysis co-word analysis. MAIN FINDINGS: Co-occurrence analyses into the co-citation themes found that relationship management frames IORs as an ambidextrous governance capability balancing contractual safeguards and relational governance. Comparative advantages emphasize how firms leverage interorganizational collaboration, dynamic capabilities, and ecosystem engagement to achieve resilience and long-term competitiveness. Embedded networks highlight the role of absorptive capacity, open innovation, and systemic cooperation in driving firm performance and sustainability. PRACTICAL/MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONs: Managers should consider balancing the use of both formal contracts and trust-based governance to support collaboration, reduce opportunism, and manage uncertainty. To build comparative advantage, organizations should participate in interorganizational networks that allow them to share resources, exchange knowledge, and encourage innovation. Being embedded in collaborative ecosystems also improves absorptive capacity, resilience, and sustainability .