ABSTRACT

Purpose

In the current business context, deliberations concerning business-to-business relationships (business relationships) and their importance to business firms are increasing. The extensive research in this area over the past three decades had created a need to synthetize existing research. This paper explores the development of business relationships domain concerning (1) publication trend, (2) influential publications, (3) prolific contributors, (4) themes of research, and (5) future research directions.

Methodology/Approach

This study used the Web of Science core collection to identify influential articles, authors, journals, geographies, universities, and key research themes associated with business relationships. We developed a graphical analysis of the bibliographical material using VOSviewer. Network structures, including keywords co-occurrence and coauthorship analysis, further strengthened our understanding of this domain.

Findings

The findings showed a consistent increase in research on business relationships since its inception. The content analysis of the keywords revealed four dominant research themes: the role of information and technology in maintaining business relationships, value creation in business relationships, customer satisfaction and loyalty in business relationships, and inter-organizational trust and governance in business relationships.

Research Implications

This study provides a comprehensive view into research themes in business relationship area. The present study also helps researchers in identifying future directions of research in the business relationships area.

Practical Implications

The four key dominant themes identified in the study present key managerial insights. According to the research themes, business firms should embrace digital technological tools, collaborate with customers and other stakeholders, develop loyal customers, and implement relational governance mechanisms to develop long-term business relationships.

Originality/Value/Contribution of the paper

This study provides insight into the advancement of business relationships area by exploring the relevant body of knowledge, dominant research institutions, prominent topics, and future research possibilities. This includes articles published in top management journals from 1990–2020. This bibliometric study is a pioneering effort to map the domain of business-to-business relationships, wherein current insights and future research directions take center stage.

中文翻译：

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通过文献计量分析对企业对企业关系的回顾性观点和主题分析

摘要

目的

在当前的商业环境中，关于企业对企业关系（业务关系）及其对商业公司的重要性的审议正在增加。在过去的三十年里，这一领域的广泛研究产生了对现有研究进行综合的需要。本文探讨了商业关系领域的发展，涉及（1）出版趋势，（2）有影响力的出版物，（3）多产的贡献者，（4）研究主题，以及（5）未来的研究方向。

方法论/方法

本研究使用 Web of Science 核心合集来确定有影响力的文章、作者、期刊、地理、大学和与商业关系相关的关键研究主题。我们使用 VOSviewer 对书目材料进行了图形分析。网络结构，包括关键字共现和共同作者分析，进一步加强了我们对该领域的理解。

发现

调查结果显示，自成立以来，对业务关系的研究一直在增加。关键词的内容分析揭示了四个主要的研究主题：信息和技术在维持业务关系中的作用、业务关系中的价值创造、业务关系中的客户满意度和忠诚度以及业务关系中的组织间信任和治理。

研究意义

本研究对商业关系领域的研究主题提供了一个全面的视角。本研究还有助于研究人员确定商业关系领域的未来研究方向。

实际影响

研究中确定的四个主要主题提供了关键的管理见解。根据研究主题，企业应采用数字技术工具，与客户和其他利益相关者合作，发展忠诚客户，并实施关系治理机制以发展长期业务关系。

论文的原创性/价值/贡献

本研究通过探索相关知识体系、主要研究机构、突出主题和未来研究的可能性，深入了解业务关系领域的发展。这包括 1990 年至 2020 年在高级管理期刊上发表的文章。这项文献计量研究是绘制企业对企业关系领域的开创性努力，其中当前的见解和未来的研究方向占据中心位置。