Opportunism in Distribution Networks: The Role of Network Embeddedness and Dependence
Opportunism in Distribution Networks: The Role of Network Embeddedness and Dependence
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配电网络中的机会主义：网络嵌入性和依赖性的作用
DOI：
10.1111/poms.12247
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发表时间：
2015-10-01
影响因子：
5
通讯作者：
Zheng, Jin-Hui
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Dong, Maggie Chuoyan;Liu, Zhiqiang;Zheng, Jin-Hui
以往的研究文献的价值，网络关系的企业行为，但相对沉默的网络如何影响机会主义的分销渠道。针对一种常见的分销网络，其中多个分销商服务于一个单一的，占主导地位的供应商，本研究超越了二元的观点，研究如何一个焦点分销商的关系和结构嵌入在这样的分销网络影响其机会主义对占主导地位的供应商。特别是，我们假设，分销商的关系嵌入在网络中抑制其机会主义，而其网络中心性，作为一种形式的结构嵌入在网络中，促进其机会主义。此外，我们认为关系嵌入放大了焦点分销商对供应商的依赖在抑制分销商机会主义方面的作用，而网络中心性则缓冲了这种作用。首先，我们使用从中国汽车经销商收集的数据对这些假设进行了实证检验，结果支持了假设。然后，我们开发了一个分析模型来验证和进一步解释网络效应的潜在机制。我们的分析结果不仅验证了实证结果，而且为管理者控制分销网络中的机会主义行为提供了指导。
Prior research documents the value of network relationships to firm behavior but is relatively silent on how networks influence opportunism in distribution channels. Focusing on a common type of distribution networks in which multiple distributors serve a single, dominant supplier, this study moves beyond a dyadic view to examine how a focal distributor's relational and structural embeddedness in such a distribution network influences its opportunism toward the dominant supplier. In particular, we postulate that a distributor's relational embeddedness in the network curbs its opportunism, whereas its network centrality, as a form of structural embeddedness in the network, promotes its opportunism. Moreover, we propose that relational embeddedness magnifies the role of a focal distributor's dependence on the supplier in suppressing the distributor's opportunism, whereas network centrality buffers such a role. We first empirically test these hypotheses using data collected from car dealers in China; the results provide support for the hypotheses. We then develop an analytical model to validate and further explain the underlying mechanisms of the network effects. Our analytical results not only validate the empirical results but also provide guidance for managers on controlling opportunism in distribution networks.