The two companies set up a framework of meeting within which their managers not only discuss matters pertaining to the alliance but also have time to get to know each other better. The belief is that the resulting friendships help build trustand facilitate harmoniousrelations between the two firms. Personal relationships also foster an informal management network between the firms.This network can then be used to help solve problems arising in more formal contexts (such as in joing committee meetings between personnal from the two firms).