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Effects of economic and social satisfaction on partner trust: An investigation of temporal carryover effects

Hong-Youl Ha (Department of International Trade, Dongguk University, Seoul, Korea)
Myung-Soo Lee (Zicklin School of Business, Baruch College of The City University of New York, New York, New York, USA)
Swinder Janda (Professor of Marketing & The Robert M. Edgerley Chair in Global Business, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA)

European Journal of Marketing

ISSN: 0309-0566

Article publication date: 8 February 2016

1052

Abstract

Purpose

It has previously been noted that channel relationships are more richly understood when viewed over time. Moreover, there is a lack of research on how two types of satisfaction (economic and social satisfaction) have differential effects on partner trust over time. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether (and if so how) these two types of satisfaction have differential effects on partner trust from the initial stage of channel relationship to the subsequent relationship period.

Design/methodology/approach

Longitudinal data are used in an effort to understand the dynamic process of channel relationships over time.

Findings

It is found that over time, the strength of the relationship between economic satisfaction and partner trust decreases, while the effect of social satisfaction on partner trust increases. Interestingly, the direct effect of perceived value on partner trust dramatically decreases from time point T to T + 1, indicating that these relationships exhibit significant temporal effects.

Research limitations/implications

The most relevant theoretical implication is that social satisfaction has a desirable role of bridging the relationship between perceived value and partner trust at time points T and T + 1. Thus, social satisfaction is a key factor in sustaining a channel partnership over time even after initial perceived value has been enhanced via the route of economic satisfaction. The main limitation is that data were collected in South Korea – further validation would require data from multiple cultural contexts.

Practical implications

Results provide important implications for channel members aiming to enhance trust with partners. In initial stages of a relationship, channel members should concentrate their marketing resources on enhancing economic satisfaction, as it plays a key role in enhancing trust. As channel relationships evolve, the role of social satisfaction between perceived value and partner trust becomes more important. Thus, in the latter stages of a relationship, it would be prudent to focus more on activities which enhance social satisfaction.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is very little research focusing on temporal carryover effects. The authors thus contribute to the establishment and testing of temporal carryover effects of various business-to-business (B2B) relationship-related constructs, such as perceived value, economic and social satisfaction and partner trust.

Keywords

Citation

Ha, H.-Y., Lee, M.-S. and Janda, S. (2016), "Effects of economic and social satisfaction on partner trust: An investigation of temporal carryover effects", European Journal of Marketing, Vol. 50 No. 1/2, pp. 100-123. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJM-02-2014-0125

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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