OVERVIEW
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Extending business activities beyond organisational boundaries to create value
for the organisation is not new. However, the quantity and complexity of the
relationships that now exist beyond organisational boundaries are increasing, as
is regulatory and stakeholder scrutiny. While partnerships with third parties,
including critical suppliers, can be beneficial to the organisation on so many
levels, such alliances can expose the organisation to many unknowns, and those
unknowns will undoubtedly increase the level of risk. The key, then, is properly
managing the infrastructure, systems, staff and outside support to adequately
manage that risk.