ABSTRACT
The reason for joining a cooperative network is because going it alone requires considerable cost, effort and risk – all of which can be reduced when others get involved. The notion of cooperative networking often becomes more palatable once it's understood that cooperating is not about giving away trade secrets or merging with another business. The foremost indicator of a successful business network is a common purpose. Most cooperative business networks rely heavily on relationship building. In other words, the same elements that create and foster human relationships appear to be no different from those needed to maintain successful business relationships. The ingredients for a successful cooperating network revolve around mutual interests combined with a can-do attitude. Moreover, proponents of cooperative networking say that once decisions are made they're often carried out quicker and with more enthusiasm than those made in big corporations.
