The objective of this article is to build an integrative research framework for the study of inter-organisational relationship development. We adopt structuration theory as a basis on which to integrate the specific concepts and ideas from the literature on inter-organisational relationships. Through an illustrative case study we demonstrate the analytical usefulness of the framework. We believe that it offers guidance and sets out the essential conceptual principles in terms of interplay between agency and structure within the focal relationship, and between the relationship and its context. It is narrow enough to provide a useful guide for empirical research, and broad enough to accommodate new ideas and reformulations that might emerge in a given context. Accordingly, the framework provides support in the different phases of the research process in studies of an inductive or deductive orientation and adopting a qualitative or quantitative approach.