Formal versus informal contracts: achieving alliance success

The importance of formal written contracts and informal social contracts in logistics partnerships is studied. Case study results reveal that formal written contracts are needed in the collaboration that is essential for establishing strategic alliances. On the other hand, informal social contracts represented by partners' actions are more accurate indications of the nature of the long-term commitment to the partnership.
Introduction The application and use of strategic alliances is of considerable interest to both industry practitioners and academics. However, recent research has shown that the balance between theoretical and practical [...]