Nowadays a new businesses form, online business occurred, which helps companies to improve their working efficiency in managing risks and allocating resources. Relationship and network are essential for understanding online business, which can help firms to reduce costs by outsourcing, and to increase efficiency by sharing information with cooperators. That leads to the purpose of this study, is to investigate how do the relationship and network between firms influence the cooperation of product developing and server operating companies within online business. In order to study this topic, the concepts from IMP group of characteristics of relationship, relationship development stages and the model of managing in networks are applied. Furthermore qualitative research method was employed for interviewing five companies in two types: 1) product developing companies 2) server operating companies.     The relationship and network are perceived by interviewed companies are dynamic, fast changing and high technology focused. To cope with this phenomenon, most of companies choose to put their efforts on developing products and advancing technology rather than communicating with partners. In conclusion, the cooperation between firms in online business is influenced by fast changing and short-term relationships, high competition and the risk of plagiarism, which leads to competition focus in their business.

Nesta pesquisa, o principal objetivo foi analisar como são conduzidas as negociações entre compradores e vendedores que acontecem em um ambiente relacional, buscando não só entender os impactos do relacionamento das partes no processo de negociação, mas também verificar se as negociações o favorecem, notadamente em situações nas quais as partes pretendem manter ou aumentar as interações no futuro. Para responder esse objetivo foi escolhido o setor de distribuição de insumos agrícolas, com foco em defensivos, considerando as transações que ocorrem entre os distribuidores e os produtores rurais. Para ampliar as discussões desta pesquisa, optou-se por analisar as negociações entre as partes em dois países: Brasil e Estados Unidos. Assim, foi realizada uma pesquisa qualitativa, de caráter exploratório/descritivo, utilizando o método de estudos de casos múltiplos. Os dados foram coletados a partir do estudo de 13 casos - situações de negociação (seis no Brasil e sete nos Estados Unidos), considerando a visão do vendedor e do comprador (díades) para que se pudesse ter uma perspectiva de ambos os lados. Para isso, contou-se com o auxílio de seis distribuidores de insumos, sendo três no Brasil e três nos Estados Unidos. Os gerentes de vendas dos distribuidores foram entrevistados para que o entendimento do processo de negociação pudesse ser ampliado. Assim, em conjunto com observações, foram realizadas 13 entrevistas com vendedores, 13 com produtores e seis com gerentes de vendas, totalizando 32. Como principais resultados e contribuições, destaca-se: (1) foi proposta uma estrutura conceitual, baseada no modelo adaptado do IMP Group, para o estudo das negociações entre compradores e vendedores, considerando os elementos sistêmicos da negociação. Pôde-se perceber os impactos do ambiente da negociação (concorrentes e variáveis macroambientais), da atmosfera (poder, tempo e informação), do planejamento, do processo de negociação, dos resultados e da implementação dos acordos da negociação. Além disso, notou-se que os resultados substanciais (econômicos) podem ser superados pelos resultados psicológico-sociais da negociação, uma vez que vendedores e compradores podem abrir mão dos ganhos pensando na continuidade do relacionamento entre as partes; (2) a aplicação da estrutura para a análise das díades mostrouse aderente, o que resulta em outra contribuição. A estrutura conceitual poderá ser utilizada em outros contextos para o entendimento das negociações entre compradores e vendedores; (3) a partir da análise dos contextos Brasil e Estados Unidos, notou-se o impacto que o modelo de negócios dos distribuidores pode ter nas negociações. De um lado os distribuidores brasileiros têm sua oferta mais baseada em produtos, resultando em uma maior discussão de preços nas negociações. Já do lado norte-americano, a oferta é baseada em serviços e troca de informações, o que aumenta a dependência, os custos de mudança dos produtores e afeta os processos de negociação, diminuído em alguns casos a negociação de preços; (4) por fim, nota-se que o relacionamento entre as partes pode ter um impacto positivo nas negociações entre compradores e vendedores, diminuindo o uso de alternativas, aumentando a possibilidade de ampliação do valor das negociações e tirando o foco do preço. Além disso, percebe-se que a forma como as negociações são conduzidas pode ter um impacto positivo no relacionamento entre as partes. Assim, com a evolução do relacionamento, o conteúdo das negociações pode mudar da barganha de preços e evoluir para a discussão das adaptações necessárias para ampliação dos ganhos mútuos e maximização do valor das partes. / The main goal of this research was to analyze how the negotiations between buyers and sellers take place in a relational environment, seeking not only to understand the impacts of the relationship of the parties in the negotiation process, but also whether the negotiations favor the relationship, specifically in situations in which the parties aim to maintain or increase future interactions. To meet this goal, the distribution sector of agricultural inputs was chosen, focusing on defensive, and considering transactions that took place between distributors and farmers. The choice of this sector was due to its strong relational characteristic. To broaden the discussion of this research, the negotiations in two countries was analyzed: Brazil and the United States. Thus, a qualitative survey was conducted with an exploratory / descriptive perspective and using a multiple case studies method for data collection. The data was collected from the study of 13 negotiation situations (six in Brazil and seven in the United States), considering the view of the seller and the buyer (dyads) so that it was possible to have the perspective from both sides. Accordingly, interviews were conducted with six distributors, three in Brazil and three in the United States. The distributors\' sales managers were interviewed to develop a better understanding of the negotiation process. Thus, for the development of this research, 13 interviews were conducted with vendors, with 13 producers and six with sales managers, totaling 32. The main results and contributions are: (1) a conceptual framework was proposed based on the adapted model of the IMP Group for the study of negotiations between buyers and sellers, considering the systemic elements of the negotiation. The framework considers the various stages of negotiation and was the basis for the analysis of 13 dyads. From the analysis, the impact of the trading environment was observed (competitors and macroenvironmental variables), the atmosphere (power, time and information), planning, the negotiation process, the negotiation results, and the negotiation results implementation. Considering the importance of the relationship between the parties, the substantial results (economic) could be overcome by psychological and social results of the negotiation, as buyers and sellers can give up gains in exchange of maintaining and continuing with a good relationship with the other part; (2) the use of the framework to analyze the dyads proved to be effective, therefore the possible use of the framework in other contexts for the understanding of negotiations between buyers and sellers is another contribution of this thesis; (3) from the analysis of Brazilian and US contexts, it was noted the impact that the business model can have on negotiations. In one hand the Brazilian distributors have most of their supply based on products, resulting in more price discussion. In the other hand, in the US, the focus was on services and information exchange, which increases the dependency of producers decreasing, in some cases, the price negotiations; (4) finally, the relationship between the parties can have a positive impact on negotiations between buyers and sellers, reducing the use of alternatives, increasing the possibility of expanding the value of negotiations and taking the price out of focus. Moreover, it is clear that the way the negotiations are conducted can have a positive impact on the relationship between the parties. Therefore, with the relationship evolution, the negotiations content can evolve from prices negotiation to a discussion on necessary adaptation with a focus on value maximization for all parties.

Nesta pesquisa, o principal objetivo foi analisar como são conduzidas as negociações entre compradores e vendedores que acontecem em um ambiente relacional, buscando não só entender os impactos do relacionamento das partes no processo de negociação, mas também verificar se as negociações o favorecem, notadamente em situações nas quais as partes pretendem manter ou aumentar as interações no futuro. Para responder esse objetivo foi escolhido o setor de distribuição de insumos agrícolas, com foco em defensivos, considerando as transações que ocorrem entre os distribuidores e os produtores rurais. Para ampliar as discussões desta pesquisa, optou-se por analisar as negociações entre as partes em dois países: Brasil e Estados Unidos. Assim, foi realizada uma pesquisa qualitativa, de caráter exploratório/descritivo, utilizando o método de estudos de casos múltiplos. Os dados foram coletados a partir do estudo de 13 casos - situações de negociação (seis no Brasil e sete nos Estados Unidos), considerando a visão do vendedor e do comprador (díades) para que se pudesse ter uma perspectiva de ambos os lados. Para isso, contou-se com o auxílio de seis distribuidores de insumos, sendo três no Brasil e três nos Estados Unidos. Os gerentes de vendas dos distribuidores foram entrevistados para que o entendimento do processo de negociação pudesse ser ampliado. Assim, em conjunto com observações, foram realizadas 13 entrevistas com vendedores, 13 com produtores e seis com gerentes de vendas, totalizando 32. Como principais resultados e contribuições, destaca-se: (1) foi proposta uma estrutura conceitual, baseada no modelo adaptado do IMP Group, para o estudo das negociações entre compradores e vendedores, considerando os elementos sistêmicos da negociação. Pôde-se perceber os impactos do ambiente da negociação (concorrentes e variáveis macroambientais), da atmosfera (poder, tempo e informação), do planejamento, do processo de negociação, dos resultados e da implementação dos acordos da negociação. Além disso, notou-se que os resultados substanciais (econômicos) podem ser superados pelos resultados psicológico-sociais da negociação, uma vez que vendedores e compradores podem abrir mão dos ganhos pensando na continuidade do relacionamento entre as partes; (2) a aplicação da estrutura para a análise das díades mostrouse aderente, o que resulta em outra contribuição. A estrutura conceitual poderá ser utilizada em outros contextos para o entendimento das negociações entre compradores e vendedores; (3) a partir da análise dos contextos Brasil e Estados Unidos, notou-se o impacto que o modelo de negócios dos distribuidores pode ter nas negociações. De um lado os distribuidores brasileiros têm sua oferta mais baseada em produtos, resultando em uma maior discussão de preços nas negociações. Já do lado norte-americano, a oferta é baseada em serviços e troca de informações, o que aumenta a dependência, os custos de mudança dos produtores e afeta os processos de negociação, diminuído em alguns casos a negociação de preços; (4) por fim, nota-se que o relacionamento entre as partes pode ter um impacto positivo nas negociações entre compradores e vendedores, diminuindo o uso de alternativas, aumentando a possibilidade de ampliação do valor das negociações e tirando o foco do preço. Além disso, percebe-se que a forma como as negociações são conduzidas pode ter um impacto positivo no relacionamento entre as partes. Assim, com a evolução do relacionamento, o conteúdo das negociações pode mudar da barganha de preços e evoluir para a discussão das adaptações necessárias para ampliação dos ganhos mútuos e maximização do valor das partes. / The main goal of this research was to analyze how the negotiations between buyers and sellers take place in a relational environment, seeking not only to understand the impacts of the relationship of the parties in the negotiation process, but also whether the negotiations favor the relationship, specifically in situations in which the parties aim to maintain or increase future interactions. To meet this goal, the distribution sector of agricultural inputs was chosen, focusing on defensive, and considering transactions that took place between distributors and farmers. The choice of this sector was due to its strong relational characteristic. To broaden the discussion of this research, the negotiations in two countries was analyzed: Brazil and the United States. Thus, a qualitative survey was conducted with an exploratory / descriptive perspective and using a multiple case studies method for data collection. The data was collected from the study of 13 negotiation situations (six in Brazil and seven in the United States), considering the view of the seller and the buyer (dyads) so that it was possible to have the perspective from both sides. Accordingly, interviews were conducted with six distributors, three in Brazil and three in the United States. The distributors\' sales managers were interviewed to develop a better understanding of the negotiation process. Thus, for the development of this research, 13 interviews were conducted with vendors, with 13 producers and six with sales managers, totaling 32. The main results and contributions are: (1) a conceptual framework was proposed based on the adapted model of the IMP Group for the study of negotiations between buyers and sellers, considering the systemic elements of the negotiation. The framework considers the various stages of negotiation and was the basis for the analysis of 13 dyads. From the analysis, the impact of the trading environment was observed (competitors and macroenvironmental variables), the atmosphere (power, time and information), planning, the negotiation process, the negotiation results, and the negotiation results implementation. Considering the importance of the relationship between the parties, the substantial results (economic) could be overcome by psychological and social results of the negotiation, as buyers and sellers can give up gains in exchange of maintaining and continuing with a good relationship with the other part; (2) the use of the framework to analyze the dyads proved to be effective, therefore the possible use of the framework in other contexts for the understanding of negotiations between buyers and sellers is another contribution of this thesis; (3) from the analysis of Brazilian and US contexts, it was noted the impact that the business model can have on negotiations. In one hand the Brazilian distributors have most of their supply based on products, resulting in more price discussion. In the other hand, in the US, the focus was on services and information exchange, which increases the dependency of producers decreasing, in some cases, the price negotiations; (4) finally, the relationship between the parties can have a positive impact on negotiations between buyers and sellers, reducing the use of alternatives, increasing the possibility of expanding the value of negotiations and taking the price out of focus. Moreover, it is clear that the way the negotiations are conducted can have a positive impact on the relationship between the parties. Therefore, with the relationship evolution, the negotiations content can evolve from prices negotiation to a discussion on necessary adaptation with a focus on value maximization for all parties.

Background: As mentioned by the hoteliers in our study, the Saudi Arabian markets are not in a full usage or application of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). There have been several reviews formed by the United Nation Development Program show the efforts done by the different sectors of the country to reach the 2030 Agenda which aim for a sustainable development. Sustainability became a requirement for any business to start in the region. CS has changed the way Saudi hotels market are conducting their business a few years ago. Besides that, doing business online has also been an important factor of this change. In many cases, being sustainable might be very costly to apply to many kinds of businesses, and for that reason companies must plan well. So, the companies should take into consideration several factors that might affect their relation with their B2B customers.  Problem Discussion: There has been a huge pressure from customers and the public on companies to perform their business in an environmentally sustainable way. The increased number of hotels which led to higher competition in the region causing the companies in the hotels industry to carefully manage their B2B relationship. Second is the obligatory laws for companies to apply CS actions. Sustainable behaviors have today grown to become a compulsion to practice; however, these actions are not limited to the B2C sector of a business, CS has become a vital part of marketing strategies for business within B2B markets. In spite CS has proven to be advantageous to be practiced with B2B customers, the research on the subject has been very limited. The research and studies towards CS and CSR have been limited to B2C markets Due to the lack of enough research on the subject of being sustainability and its relationship to B2B customers, this paper will dig deep to fill this gap. Purpose:  The aim of this research paper is to uncover the hotels CS and CSR strategies that hoteliers’ practice with their B2B customers. While also considering the aspect of CS in markets where these hotels are gradually indulging into it, such as the Saudi Arabian Market. This research paper’s goal is to analyze and study different approaches for hoteliers that could be beneficial for them focused towards their business customer and guide them to gain competitive advantage and turn it into a profitable business decision through building and strengthening their relationships with their B2B customers.       Research Question:    <ol type="1"> What are the current CS strategies practiced by international five-star hotel chains situated in Saudi Arabia?   2.     How can these hotel’s CS strategies be developed and adopted to positively influence and strengthen its relationship with their B2B customers internationally?     Methodology: The authors of this study have been using qualitative method as their research approach which gave them the way in order to deeply understand the application of CS actions and its relation with the pricing strategies chosen by the companies in the hotel industry. The theory was collected from different database, and the empirical data was collected from 9 interviews within 3 hotels. The data collected was from high ranked journals. As for the type of interviews, it was semi-structured interviews. The authors used open questions to give a space to the interviewees to discuss in depth the topic of the question.  Conclusion: This study shows that within the hotel industry social sustainability dimension of CS and instrumental theories of CSR, these hotels could develop and strengthen their relationships with their B2B customers as well as suppliers. Within the academic literature CS has been categorized into three sections; environment, that actions to sustain the planet, social, that is working for the welfare of the people and lastly economical that is the financial benefits gained from CS activities. In this study, the authors concluded that the international five-star hotel chains residing within Saudi Arabia have not been actively working toward their CS and CSR behaviors.