In this paper we firstly develop the views of current and future practice in purchasing and supply management by some investigated large corporations. Secondly we addresses the question whether it is possible to analyse the resources of a group of SMEs and from that knowledge come to any conclusion on whether these might become possible co-operative partners matching the coming needs of these large corporations in the future. The basis assumption is that the SMEs will have to find ways to, in substantial ways, improve and enlarge their capabilities. The answer to this set of questions is probably not only a matter of fit, complementary technological resources between the actors i.e. the large corporation and – possibly – a constellation of SMEs. Thirdly we will discuss some possible co-operative patterns, in shape of four ways to create matching resource- (network-) constellations.  We will give some empirical illustrations and discuss some of the most critical topics according to each of the four alternatives. The likely success of each of them is essentially contextual, but in what ways?