Time in business to business interactions. A case analysis in textile and clothing

The article analyzes the role of time in business network interactions. Its main aim is to examine time issues and fill a research gap regarding different market models and different concepts of time. The methodology used is a case study to investigate a focal interaction in the fashion industry, between a firm considered to be the focal company, a luxury clothing manufacturer, and one of its main suppliers. From the research, two concepts of time emerge with regard to business networks: time as a product and time as a process. Combining literature and case analyses, it derives a correspondence between time as a process and interaction as adaptation, and time as a product and interaction as exchange. The findings of this study point to the need for further studies on time in business networks.