Interimistic Relational Exchange: Conceptualization and Propositional Development

Interimistic relational exchange is defined as a close, collaborative, fast-developing, short-lived exchange relationship in which companies pool their skills and/or resources to address a transient, albeit important, business opportunity and/or threat. Because interimistic exchange relationships must quickly become functional and have a short life, these relationships have less time to fully develop the relational governance mechanisms assumed in the evolutionary model. Therefore, interimistic relational exchange appears to rely more on nonrelational mechanisms than does enduring relational exchange. This paper: 1. examines how interimistic relational exchange governance differs from that of enduring relational exchange and 2. develops propositions for further research on interimistic relational exchange.