partnership
(noun)
An agreement between individuals to collaborate towards mutually determined objectives.
Examples of partnership in the following topics:
-
Partnerships
- There are two types of partnerships: a relational and strategic partnership.
- A relational partnership is a partnership that develops on the premise of a close, personal relationship built on trust (Mohr, 1994).
- A relational partnership is more similar to a friendship than to a market exchange.
- If this ideal is applied, a strong foundation can be formed through relational partnerships.
- An example of a strategic partnership was evident in 2007 when Time Warner's AOL strengthened their strategic partnership with Google.
-
Advantages and Disadvantages of Partnerships
- Partnerships have certain default characteristics relating to both the relationship between the individual partners and the relationship between the partnership and the outside world.
- Each general partner is deemed the agent of the partnership.
- However, in a partnership of any size, the partnership agreement will provide for certain electees to manage the partnership along the lines of a company board.
- Partnerships are relatively easy to establish; however time should be invested in developing the partnership agreement
- As in sole proprietorships, partnerships have unlimited liability.
-
Types of Partnerships
- For the purpose of this discussion, the most important types of partnerships to consider are general partnerships, limited partnerships, joint liability partnerships, several liability partnerships, and limited liability partnerships.
- This represents a default version of a partnership, which governs the relationships between the individual partners as well as between the partnership and the outside world.
- Finally, there are limited liability partnerships (LLPs).
- When considering the appropriate type of partnership, liability is the key word.
- Differentiate between partnership types, and recognize the key role liabilities play in these partnerships
-
Partnerships and Taxes
- Various partnerships need to file different tax forms; it is important to understand the IRS codes before embarking on a partnership.
- Different types of partnerships have different tax requirements, and partners will need to fill out different forms depending on the type.
- It is designed to provide the limited liability features of a corporation and the tax efficiencies and operational flexibility of a partnership.
- Formation is more complex and formal than that of a general partnership.
-
Partnership Agreements
- Partnership agreements govern the relationship between the various individuals who are collaborating on a given venture.
- Similar to a sole proprietor, a partnership shoulders the majority of the risk when opening a new venture (unlike limited liability models).
- For example, let's assume that a startup company decides to formulate their business as a partnership between four people.
- Here are a few common components of partnership agreements:
- Recall the more common components of partnership agreements, and recognize why these agreements are valuable
-
Phases of relationship development
- Strategic partnerships experience four major developmental phases and Exhibit 36 represents the life cycle of such a relationship.
- Partnerships can have various types of relationships; some areas may only need to be functional, whereas others may seek to be strategic.
- During this phase, parties engage in exchanges to explore potential partnership costs and benefits.
- After both parties prove that they are capable of performing as needed, the partnership will move to the expansion phase.
- The dissolution phase is the decision to end the partnership.
-
Marketing exchanges and partnerships
- In 2005, Barton A Weitz, Stephen B Castleberry, and John F Tanner published their book "Selling: Building Relationships" in which they discuss many of the aspects of modern business relationships, including market exchanges and partnerships.
- A partnership, conversely, is based on creating a mutually beneficial affiliation for both of the organizations.
- Market exchanges and partnerships both generate commercially oriented connections, which classifies the two relationships as external (Weitz, Castleberry, and Tanner, 2005).
-
Foundations of successful relationships
- Trust, however, is only one building block of several involved in the creation of strategic partnerships.
- In order for a partnership to be successful, trust must be mutual.
- Proposed partnerships perceived as contrary to the existing structure or cultures are candidates for enhanced scrutiny.
- Once a partnership is entered into it is necessary to develop programs such as training and rewards to establish the desired partnership behaviors.
- Thus, it is important to evaluate the level of intrinsic gain that has been established through the partnership.
-
Types of Ownership
- Larger businesses or those with wider ownership or more formal structures, will usually tend to be organized as partnerships or (more commonly) corporations.
- Partnerships cannot be taken public.
- Small businesses are normally privately-owned corporations, cooperatives, partnerships, or sole proprietorships.
- A partnership is a form of business in which two or more people operate for the common goal of making profit.
- Each partner has total and unlimited personal liability of the debts incurred by the partnership.
-
Choosing the right relationship
- The idea is that as partnerships are successful, the companies will make more money, i.e.
- Strategic partnerships may be established in order to gain access into a specific niche or market.
- Other partnerships may be formed in an effort to improve a company's image.
- A partnership may be developed in order to gain access to technological innovation.
- The key to every successful partnership is communication and, as a result, technology should be used as a means of increasing communication lines.