"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