A Work in Progress

Adaptation in business relationships: The impact of uncertainty and relational norms Adaptation is a construct of central importance to the IMP paradigm. The role of uncertainty as an impediment to interfirm adaptation is explored. A model is proposed that seeks to test the negative effects of uncertainty on adaptation. The model also tests the extent to which uncertainty can be controlled by social norms. Additionally, the role of social norms as a means of enhancing interfirm adaptation when uncertainty is present is also tested. The results of an empirical test of 225 respondents in the UK car components sectors did not find support for the negative effects of uncertainty on adaptation but did produce support for the remaining propositions