ABSTRACT
The knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) sector comprises several sub-sectors, such as accountants, management consultants, marketing services, and technical engineering services. In transaction cost theory uncertainty is one dimension of transactions that may give rise to transaction costs, thus possibly resulting in alternatives to interaction with external suppliers of KIBS, or, at the least, critical evaluations of external supply. An ideal examination of users’ perception of service supply should probably include longitudinal analysis, as learning affects not only users’ views, but also suppliers’ ability to cope with complex user needs. The meaning of knowledge intensity and knowledge in relation to economic activities such as trade, innovation and co-operation among firms is in itself fairly difficult to define. Extension of the user’s capacity by posting of service firm personnel in the user organization is a common aspect of technical engineering firms’ activities. Supplier-user interaction in KIBS is a many-faceted phenomenon, regarding the substance as well as organization.
