A relatively small grocery store chain operates 35 stores in three New England states. Recently, the organization has been facing intensified competition from resource-rich dominant players like Kroger and Walmart, new players with innovative services like Amazon, and new low-cost leaders like Aldi. This small chain is seeing declining sales because it cannot offer consumers the same or better products, services, or prices as any of these competitors. Which type of interorganizational relationship does this describe?

a.Resource dependence

b.Population ecology

c.Institutionalism

d.Collaborative network