算计性依赖、关系性依赖和供应商创新能力的关系研究

The Relationship between Calculative Dependence,Relational Dependence and Supplier Innovation Capability

本文以资源依赖理论为基础,首次从交易和关系双重角度将供应商对顾客的依赖区分为算计性依赖和关系性依赖,探讨供应商依赖对其创新能力的直接影响,并在此基础上验证了技术不确定性和需求不确定性对二者关系的调节作用。结果表明,算计性依赖和关系性依赖都有助于促进供应商创新能力的提高,但二者发挥作用的边界条件却存在着显著差异:技术不确定性在算计性依赖与供应商创新能力之间起着正向调节作用,但在关系性依赖与供应商创新能力之间则起着负向调节作用。与此相反,需求不确定性在关系性依赖与供应商创新能力之间发挥着正向调节作用,而在算计性依赖与供应商创新能力之间却发挥着负向调节作用。

Drawing on resource dependence theory, this paper, for the first time, divides dependence of suppliers on customers into calculative dependence and relational dependence from transaction and relationship perspectives, and investigates the relationship between them and supplier innovation capability. Calculative dependence is based on the transaction perspective, and focuses on the evaluation of economic benefit; while relational dependence concentrates on emotional bonds on the basis of relational history of suppliers and customers. Solid theoretical support from classic literature of dependence for the two concepts was found. Furthermore, the paper explores the moderating effects of technology uncertainty and market uncertainty between the two types of dependence and supplier innovation capability. Firstly, it is found that both calculative dependence and relational dependence positively influence supplier innovation capability. However, the underlying mechanisms are quite different. Secondly, the positive relationship between calculative dependence and supplier innovation capability is strengthened by technology uncertainty, while the positive relationship between relational dependence and supplier innovation capability is weakened by technology uncertainty. Thirdly, the positive relationship between relational dependence and supplier innovation capability is strengthened by market uncertainty. In addition, the paper also enriches resource dependence theory by recognizing two different types of dependence on customers, and bridging the literature of dependence and that of innovation. Finally, the study reveals positive connections between dependence and innovation, which is totally different from prior studies, and provides new insights into suppliers' dependence on customers. Besides, the paper explores the boundary condition by examining the influence of technology uncertainty and market uncertainty, and it is found that they play different roles between different dependence and supplier innovation capability. The conclusions also have important practical implications. Suppliers should maintain a comprehensive understanding of the dependence on customers. On one hand, suppliers can utilize 'learning by doing' to deal with calculative dependence. On the other hand, supplier should critically evaluate and rationally utilize relational dependence, and make appropriate policies according to the external environments of technology uncertainty and market uncertainty.