The Effect of Organisational Culture on Business-to-Business Relationship Management Practice and Performance

While an individual at an organisational interface can display effective supportive, normative relationship behaviour, it is the shared presence of this normative behaviour within organisations that will support effective relationship management practice and performance outcomes. Organisational culture, and its underpinning values, influences behaviour and expectations of individual managers within a business. Further, it shapes the employees’ shared perceptions of how other organisations should be treated, correct modes of behaviour and basic attitudes towards activities of the business. This research identifies organisational cultural dimensions that underpin successful relationship management practice, and that lead to relationship outcomes of equality, satisfaction and performance. The importance of organisations looking inwards and evaluating their own culture as a critical starting point for relationship development is highlighted.