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Article
Publication date: 22 December 2020

Jari Salo, Teck Ming Tan and Hannu Makkonen

The purpose of this paper is to cast light on the nature of the digitalization process that occurs when digital technologies are adopted in buyer–seller relationships.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to cast light on the nature of the digitalization process that occurs when digital technologies are adopted in buyer–seller relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The study features a case study from the steel processing industry.

Findings

The present research builds on and extends the interaction approach to the context of buyer–seller relationship digitalization process. The study explicates the interrelated elements of digital infrastructure, digital communication and degree of digitalization of the buyer–seller relationship.

Research limitations/implications

The study aims at theoretical generalization and thus produces conceptual understanding that is to some extent applicable to various contexts. The generalization of the empirical insights to other process-focused industries is to some extent possible. However, further research in versatile empirical contexts is needed to validate the results.

Practical implications

For managers, the study presents a success case of digital technologies use for improving a buyer–seller relationship.

Originality/value

The originality of the present research is in the way it depicts how a buyer–seller relationship is gradually digitalized in successive digital technology adoptions, that is, a virtuous cycle of digitalization, that creates and alters the digital infrastructure and digital communication processes between the buyer and the seller resulting in different outcomes (degrees of digitalization in the buyer–seller relationship).

Article
Publication date: 1 September 2004

Göran Svensson

The topic is the construct of interactive vulnerability in buyer‐seller relationships based upon mutual time‐ and relationship‐dependencies. The research is based upon a selection…

1950

Abstract

The topic is the construct of interactive vulnerability in buyer‐seller relationships based upon mutual time‐ and relationship‐dependencies. The research is based upon a selection of focal dyads between a vehicle manufacturer and its most important suppliers. The principal contribution is a framework of operationalization and analysis of the construct of interactive vulnerability and an empirical illustration of interactive vulnerability in the automotive industry. A methodological contribution of the study is its dyadic approach of vulnerability in buyer‐seller relationships. Theoretical and managerial implications, as well as suggestions for further research, are provided.

Details

International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, vol. 34 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0960-0035

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 February 2010

Jongkuk Lee and William J. Qualls

The objective of this paper is to propose a process through which channel stakeholders interact with one another to adopt a buyer‐seller technology with the purpose of improving…

2321

Abstract

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to propose a process through which channel stakeholders interact with one another to adopt a buyer‐seller technology with the purpose of improving the efficiency of their supply chain. The paper seeks to examine how ongoing business relationships between channel stakeholders influence the process of buyer‐seller technology adoption.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper extends the technology acceptance model (TAM) to dyadic adoption behaviour by incorporating a social network perspective for buyer‐seller relationships.

Findings

Buyer‐seller technology adoption occurs at multiple levels throughout a supply chain network. Although each channel stakeholder forms its own behavioural intention to adopt a new enterprise technology, actual adoption occurs at the dyadic level between two channel stakeholders. Network embeddedness and resource dependence can influence the individual firm and dyadic processes of buyer‐seller technology adoption.

Research limitations/implications

The results of the study imply that successful implementation of a buyer‐seller technology requires attention to the relationships between channel stakeholders as well as each channel stakeholder's internal needs and capability of adopting the technology.

Originality/value

The paper offers a social network perspective of buyer‐seller behaviour when adopting a new technology. The model provides a framework through which the impact of internal and relational factors on technology adoption behaviour can be examined systematically at the dyadic level of supply chain relationships.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. 25 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 March 2020

Khalid Hussain, Fengjie Jing, Muhammad Junaid, Huayu Shi and Usman Baig

Contemporary scholars contend that the buyer–seller relationship is dynamic in nature, so it grows, matures and declines over time. However, most studies that adopt the dynamic…

1215

Abstract

Purpose

Contemporary scholars contend that the buyer–seller relationship is dynamic in nature, so it grows, matures and declines over time. However, most studies that adopt the dynamic perspective debates its conceptualization and how dynamic effects are captured. This scholarly discourse has led to multiple dynamic perspectives and resulted in fragmented and scattered literature on the subject. This study aims to synthesize the large body of research on dynamic perspectives in a systematic way.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper follows a systematic review approach to extract and review 192 research articles from four electronic databases: Web of Science, EBSCOhost Business, ScienceDirect and Emerald. Based on the inclusion criteria that the articles examine time-dependent relationship development in light of a generalizable dynamic perspective, 61 articles were selected for the final examination and reporting.

Findings

This review reveals that most research on the buyer–seller dynamic relationship follows at least one of four perspectives: the relationship lifecycle, relationship age, relationship velocity and the asymmetric–dynamic perspective. Each perspective offers a distinct conceptualization of relationship development and has certain advantages that enable researchers to capture information about relationships’ growth trajectory in a unique manner.

Practical implications

Firms need a set of diverse strategies for their customers, depending on the state of the relationships’ development, as strategies that pay off at initial levels may fail at later stages. This study helps managers select an appropriate dynamic perspective that best aligns with their customers’ stage of relationship development so they can devise customized relationship-management strategies.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this article is the first attempt to organize the discourse of a large body of research on dynamic perspectives, and therefore it helps academicians and practitioners to choose the dynamic perspective that best suits their objectives and research settings. This review documents key research areas that have been overlooked and highlights opportunities for future research.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. 35 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2001

Seppo Leminen

The purpose of this study is to increase understanding of gaps in buyer‐seller relationships. Business relationships are more complex and more dynamic in today’s environment…

1297

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to increase understanding of gaps in buyer‐seller relationships. Business relationships are more complex and more dynamic in today’s environment, which itself is more complex, rapidly changing, and dynamic. It can be assumed that when an industry undergoes rapid change a great number of different groups of gaps, such as contextual, economic, informational, legal, planning, procedural, social, and technological, are likely to emerge. The present study provides a new framework and its seven glasses (perspectives of framework), i.e. viewpoints for managers to use for understanding, describing, and analysing gaps in buyer‐seller relationships.

Details

Management Decision, vol. 39 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2015

Yonghoon Choi, Ying Huang and Brenda Sternquist

This paper aims to examine the influence of the salesperson’s characteristics (organizational commitment [OC] and disposition to innovate) on buyer’s behaviors in buyer – supplier…

1442

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the influence of the salesperson’s characteristics (organizational commitment [OC] and disposition to innovate) on buyer’s behaviors in buyer – supplier relationships. A model is proposed depicting the effects of the salesperson’s OC and disposition to innovate on buyer’s long-term orientation and opportunism through partner-specific value to the buyer.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 155 sales professionals of Japanese manufacturers. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data.

Findings

As predicted, the salesperson’s OC and disposition to innovate enhance buyer’s long-term orientation through providing partner-specific value to the buyer, and in turn, buyer’s long-term orientation mitigates opportunism.

Practical implications

The salesperson plays an important role for developing and maintaining Buyer-seller relationships. Based on authors’ results, firms should promote salespeople’s OC because a highly committed salesperson is likely to be more innovative when managing the relationship with the buyer and, in turn, increase the relationship-specific value to the buyer.

Originality/value

This study makes two contributions to Buyer-seller relationship literature. First, previous studies on the salesperson focus on the social aspects in the relationship. This study, however, examines the salesperson characteristics in the exchange, and the results reveal the importance of including the salesperson characteristics in studying Buyer-seller relationships. Second, this study proposes the salesperson’s partner-specific value as a key boundary-spanning aspect mediating the salesperson characteristics and buyer’s behaviors in Buyer-seller relationships. The results confirm the argument, thus providing impetus for further studying different types and dimensions of transaction-specific assets in Buyer-seller relationships.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. 30 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 September 2023

Solomon Tawiah Yeboah, Yasmeen Haider and George Amoako

The study explored the relationship between buyer–seller interactions and customer satisfaction in the small apparel fashion enterprises in the emerging markets. The moderating…

Abstract

Purpose

The study explored the relationship between buyer–seller interactions and customer satisfaction in the small apparel fashion enterprises in the emerging markets. The moderating role of COVID-19 protocols implementations on buyer–seller interactions and customer satisfaction was further examined.

Design/methodology/approach

Buyer–seller interactions affecting customer satisfaction were divided into three constructs, namely, interactions relating to the overall customers shopping experience, smooth payment process and in-store interactions, and the COVID-19 protocols implementations were used as a moderator. A convenient sampling strategy was adopted to survey 450 customers of apparel fashion enterprises within the four regions in Ghana, of which 397 were validly used for the analysis. Existing questionnaires were adapted to collect data from the respondents. The data collected was therefore analysed using SPSS and SmartPLS programme to ascertain the nature of the relationships among the variables.

Findings

The study found that, in-store interactions, shopping experience and smooth payment processes directly influence customer satisfaction. However, the implementation of COVID-19 protocols failed to moderate the relationship between buyer–seller interactions and customer satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of the study involve its context-specific, focusing on the small apparel and fashion market. Also, future researchers can re-examine the model in other geographical jurisdictions, focusing on small apparel owners’ competencies and other variables that position buyer–seller interactions as precursors of customer satisfaction in the small apparel fashion industry. The theoretical and managerial relevance of the findings are also discussed.

Originality/value

The paper extends the domain of buyer–seller interactions and customer satisfaction phenomena within the apparel fashion industry. Its examination of the impact of COVID-19 protocols’ implementation on customer satisfaction provides an insight into managers regarding how the applications can affect customers in a typical shopping environment.

Details

African Journal of Economic and Management Studies, vol. 14 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-0705

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 February 2010

Michael Trimarchi, Peter W. Liesch and Rick Tamaschke

The purpose of this paper is to study compatibility variations in buyer‐seller relationships between Mainland Chinese firms and Hong Kong Chinese buyer firms that act as…

1767

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study compatibility variations in buyer‐seller relationships between Mainland Chinese firms and Hong Kong Chinese buyer firms that act as intermediaries to markets in the West.

Design/methodology/approach

Data are drawn from 19 multiple in‐depth case study interviews with Mainland and Hong Kong Chinese firms and buyer firms from the West.

Findings

Compatibility dimensions that provide further evidence of factors that underpin the nature of classical‐type exchange arrangements, vis‐à‐vis relational relationships, within Chinese buyer‐seller interactions are identified. Compatibility variations based on political and legal factors are driven by interpretation and application of Chinese state laws at the business and provincial levels rather than at the national level. Mainland Chinese tend to exhibit authoritative vis‐à‐vis Confucian‐based practices and a short‐term orientation within interactions.

Research limitations/implications

There is a need to expand the psychic distance composite to elucidate compatibility variations within the distinct provincial business regions of China. Quantitative studies to test for compatibility variability in China business practices across China are needed next. A better understanding of the nature of classical inclinations used by the Chinese is crucial, as is an understanding of how firms, both domestic and foreign, are able to leverage classical and relational relationships within Mainland China.

Practical implications

Uncertainty associated with the entrepreneurial behaviours of Chinese businesspersons and a varying emphasis on traditional Confucian values in business result in a hybridisation of interactions across classical and relational types. Guanxi may be evolving beyond traditional social and personal trust as Mainland Chinese business relationships have advanced from the smaller scale CFB stage to the state‐owned enterprise stage, and now to the larger and increasingly important world trade stage.

Originality/value

The paper challenges shortcomings in research that has centred exclusively on the relational nature of Chinese business interactions, and it builds on previous research to study compatibility variations underpinning these Chinese interactions. It predicts a hybridisation of interactions amongst Chinese actors and provides a foundation for future quantitative research to study compatibility variations, and also classical‐type business practices across China. Increased international market awareness may also be leading to the inclusion of an economic trust factor, driving classical‐type Chinese buyer‐seller relationships, as is more characteristic of arrangements found in Western exchanges.

Details

European Journal of Marketing, vol. 44 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-0566

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 September 2014

Jessica J. Hoppner, David A. Griffith and ChangSeob Yeo

The purpose of this study, drawing from exchange theory, is to examine how the intertwined relationships between power, justice and relative dependence influence relationship

1056

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study, drawing from exchange theory, is to examine how the intertwined relationships between power, justice and relative dependence influence relationship performance in buyer – seller relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-wave structural equation model with latent variable interactions was estimated on a dataset of 283 buyer – seller relationships.

Findings

Exercised coercive and reward power follow different processes, direct and indirect, to influence relationship performance. The use of coercion was found to be substantively more detrimental to the buyer – seller relationship than the use of rewards were beneficial. Relative dependence tempers the negative influence of coercion.

Research limitations/implications

Managers of buyer – seller relationships need to be judicious in their use of coercion and rewards. In their efforts to manage relationship performance, whenever possible, managers should seek to avoid punishing their partner more so than they should seek to reward them.

Originality/value

Although proposed under a single theoretical perspective, power and justice have developed as separate streams within the extant literature. Examining these constructs together can increase the current understanding of how to manage buyer – seller relationships.

Details

European Journal of Marketing, vol. 48 no. 9/10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-0566

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 June 2019

Roberto Mora Cortez and Wesley J. Johnston

This paper aims to explore the possible scenarios after a failed reverse auction to continue a current buyer–seller relationship.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the possible scenarios after a failed reverse auction to continue a current buyer–seller relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors developed a further understanding of reverse auctions through the examination of a longitudinal case study in the mining industry based on grounded theory.

Findings

The study indicates that losing a reverse auction is not a death sentence for the current supplier. Four factors influence the potential scenarios: buyer factors, supplier factors, buyer–seller factors and contextual factors. If the overall evaluation favors the current buyer–seller relationship, the supplier can continue the business interaction by full renegotiation or discrete step-by-step reconsideration. Conversely, the buyer–seller relationship would reach a state of dissolution.

Originality/value

This manuscript contributes to the understanding of reverse auction, an under-researched theme in organizational buying behavior theory. This paper is the first attempt to link buyer–seller relationship dissolution and reverse auctions. The authors suggest that more academic endeavors are needed to study online reverse auctions.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. 35 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

Keywords

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