Drivers of virtual interfirm integration and its impact on performance in international customer-supplier relationships

Daekwan Kim, Ruey-Jer 'Bryan' Jean, Rudolf R. Sinkovics

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

488 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Consensus exists suggesting that advances in information and communication technologies are a major driver in restructuring Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) and their cross-border supply chain activities. However, the role of virtual interfirm integration and its antecedents, contingency conditions and its association with performance in international exchange relationship is not clearly specified. This study proposes that virtual interfirm integration can serve as an alternative governance mechanism for suppliers. Thus, we examine its drivers, moderators, and performance outcomes in international exchange relationships in the context of suppliers and their MNE customers. The empirical context is a study of 240 Taiwanese-based electronics equipment manufacturers. We explore the effect of communication culture, internal, inter-organizational, and environmental dimensions on virtual interfirm integration, and supplier performance in international exchange. We conclude by sharing our findings on the pertinence of virtual interfirm integration in the supplier-MNE buyer relationships.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)495–522
JournalManagement International Review
Volume58
Issue number3
Early online date28 Feb 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12 Jun 2018

Keywords

  • Information technology (IT)
  • global supply chain
  • virtual integration
  • Multinational enterprise (MNE)
  • buyer-supplier relationship
  • communication culture

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Drivers of virtual interfirm integration and its impact on performance in international customer-supplier relationships'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this