Definition of a friend

"The common definition of a friend is someone you know, like and trust; potential alliance partners, with whom the firm has developed strong-form trust through multiple previous interactions.

The common definition of an acquaintance is someone you know and about whom you have some but limited knowledge. We define Acquaintances as potential partner firms that know each other through a limited number of prior interactions; trust between them is semi-strong or weak. The limited prior interaction is highly unlikely to yield strong-form trust.

Lastly, a stranger is someone who is unknown to you; we define Strangers as potential alliance partners that are unknown to each other. Therefore, the form of trust between Strangers is weak."

Lorraine Eden