Facilitators are the environmental factors which increase the likelihood of partnership success. These environmental factors exist in all business relationships and cannot change in the short-term. Facilitators measure how well the potential partners mesh and include: 1) the compatibility of the corporate cultures; 2) the compatibility of the management philosophy and techniques; 3) the perspective of mutuality between the potential partners; and 4) the degree of symmetry between the firms. In addition, there are five facilitators that when present will strengthen a relationship but cannot be expected including: 1) the firms share a competitor; 2) the firms are in close physical proximity; 3) the potential for exclusivity in the relationship; 4) prior relationship experience; and, 5) the firms share a common end user?