Intra-organisational dynamics as ‘dark side’ in inter-organizational relationships: Evidence from a longitudinal investigation into a university-industry collaboration

Our study contributes to the emerging research on the dark side of inter-organisational relationships by focusing on intra-organisational dynamics within partner organisations. In particular, we explored and unbundled the structural and relational complexities that underpin intra-organisational dynamics. We adopted a longitudinal case study design to explore the processes underpinning the evolution of a university-industry collaboration that had lasted for 18 years. This relationship had been initially formed between a UK university and a major pharmaceutical company early 1991 to develop a new drug for the treatment of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa, and had evolved into a tripartite partnership following the entry of a global health organization. The relationship was then terminated in 2008. Our novel and rich research context provides a case background appropriate to investigate intra-organizational dynamics, a neglected dimension in research on the dark side of university-industry collaborations.