E. Abo described partnership patterns between companies as a “chain mechanism.” He named certain
coupling patterns, defined by H. R. Maturana (Fig. 3).
y Integrated Coupling: This is the type of coupling whereby the autopoiesis of element systems belongs
to high level system. In other words, the autopoiesis of an element system does not work by itself, but
by the autopoiesis of higher level systems.
y Network Coupling: Element systems are integrated, but this coupling does not work as autopoiesis.
Element systems form a rough network.
y Mezzanine Coupling: Element systems form higher-level systems. Higher systems are units of
autopoiesis, and element systems are also units of autopoiesis.
Inter-organizational adjustment type classification considering the chain mechanism of companies as well as
industries (considering culture) is the next challenge for the authors.