Final answer:
The company contacting the building firm for a new project, with past interactions, exemplifies a complex episode in a well-developed relationship (option b) due to the history of trust and mutual understanding that likely affects the negotiation and execution of the larger project.
Step-by-step explanation:
The situation described where a company is contacting a building firm for the construction of a new factory, and the builders have previously done maintenance work and minor building works, is an example of a complex episode in a well-developed relationship. This indicates there has been an ongoing interaction between the two entities, where past experiences have likely built trust and mutual understanding. The complexity comes from negotiating a significantly larger project like the construction of a new factory, which is different from the past, more minor interactions.
In a well-developed business relationship, similar to the connections a restaurant has with suppliers of food, furniture, kitchen equipment, and its building, there is a deeper layer of cooperation and an understanding of each party's capabilities and business needs. As businesses work together over time, they can more easily and profitably coordinate their activities due to this established foundation, providing incentive to maintain the relationship.