It's about them forming partnerships (5)
I believe the answer is:
items
'partnerships' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to communication as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?
'it's about them' is the wordplay.
'about' is an insertion indicator.
'them' becomes 'em' (abbreviation).
'its' going around 'em' is 'ITEMS'.
'forming' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for items that I've seen before include "Entries made by accountant" , "Couples" , "Times (anag.)" , "Individual units" , "Smite (anag)" .)