IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/jbrese/v103y2019icp581-595.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The dynamics of outsourcing relationships in global value chains: Perspectives from MNEs and their suppliers

Author

Listed:
  • Magnani, Giovanna
  • Zucchella, Antonella
  • Strange, Roger

Abstract

We investigate the dynamics of outsourcing relationships within global value chains, through six case studies of lead firm-supplier dyads, considering these relationships from the perspectives not only of the lead firms but also of their suppliers. We track the evolution of the relationships by identifying the roles played by heterogeneous resources and capabilities, isolating mechanisms, and relationship-specific investments in creating potential resource dependence/power asymmetries in the dyads. In our cross-case analysis, we identify different lead firm-supplier dynamics, key underlying mechanisms, and related degrees of dependence/power asymmetries. We also found evidence of the development of trust and of partnerships in situations of power asymmetry and of power balance. In doing so we contribute to an under-researched area in International Business about the evolution over time of outsourcing relationships within global value chains. We advance a set of propositions to be tested in future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Magnani, Giovanna & Zucchella, Antonella & Strange, Roger, 2019. "The dynamics of outsourcing relationships in global value chains: Perspectives from MNEs and their suppliers," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 581-595.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:103:y:2019:i:c:p:581-595
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2018.01.012
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0148296318300122
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.jbusres.2018.01.012?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Henry Wai-chung Yeung & Neil Coe, 2015. "Toward a Dynamic Theory of Global Production Networks," Economic Geography, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 91(1), pages 29-58, January.
    2. Jay B. Barney, 1986. "Strategic Factor Markets: Expectations, Luck, and Business Strategy," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 32(10), pages 1231-1241, October.
    3. Nebahat Tokatli, 2007. "Asymmetrical power relations and upgrading among suppliers of global clothing brands: Hugo Boss in Turkey," Journal of Economic Geography, Oxford University Press, vol. 7(1), pages 67-92, January.
    4. Farrell, Joseph & Klemperer, Paul, 2007. "Coordination and Lock-In: Competition with Switching Costs and Network Effects," Handbook of Industrial Organization, in: Mark Armstrong & Robert Porter (ed.), Handbook of Industrial Organization, edition 1, volume 3, chapter 31, pages 1967-2072, Elsevier.
    5. Kirk Monteverde & David J. Teece, 1982. "Supplier Switching Costs and Vertical Integration in the Automobile Industry," Bell Journal of Economics, The RAND Corporation, vol. 13(1), pages 206-213, Spring.
    6. Peter J Buckley & Pervez N Ghauri, 2004. "Globalisation, economic geography and the strategy of multinational enterprises," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 35(2), pages 81-98, March.
    7. Ekaterina Turkina & Ari Van Assche & Raja Kali, 2016. "Structure and evolution of global cluster networks: evidence from the aerospace industry," Journal of Economic Geography, Oxford University Press, vol. 16(6), pages 1211-1234.
    8. Roger Strange, 2011. "The outsourcing of primary activities: theoretical analysis and propositions," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 15(2), pages 249-269, May.
    9. John Paul MacDuffie, 2011. "Inter-organizational trust and the dynamics of distrust," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 42(1), pages 35-47, January.
    10. Isabelle Le Breton-Miller & Danny Miller, 2015. "The paradox of resource vulnerability: Considerations for organizational curatorship," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(3), pages 397-415, March.
    11. David J. Teece & Gary Pisano & Amy Shuen, 1997. "Dynamic capabilities and strategic management," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 18(7), pages 509-533, August.
    12. Akbar Zaheer & Darcy Fudge Kamal, 2011. "Creating trust in piranha-infested waters: The confluence of buyer, supplier and host country contexts," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 42(1), pages 48-55, January.
    13. Buckley, Peter J., 2009. "The impact of the global factory on economic development," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 44(2), pages 131-143, April.
    14. Page, Graham & Fearn, Helen, 2005. "Corporate Reputation: What Do Consumers Really Care About?," Journal of Advertising Research, Cambridge University Press, vol. 45(3), pages 305-313, September.
    15. George P. Huber & Danial J. Power, 1985. "Retrospective reports of strategic‐level managers: Guidelines for increasing their accuracy," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 6(2), pages 171-180, April.
    16. Stefano Ponte, 2014. "The Evolutionary Dynamics of Biofuel Value Chains: From Unipolar and Government-Driven to Multipolar Governance," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 46(2), pages 353-372, February.
    17. Pettigrew, Andrew M., 1997. "What is a processual analysis?," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 13(4), pages 337-348, December.
    18. Keith G. Provan & Jule B. Gassenheimer, 1994. "Supplier Commitment In Relational Contract Exchanges With Buyers: A Study Of Interorganizational Dependence And Exercised Power," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(1), pages 55-68, January.
    19. Farok J. Contractor & Vikas Kumar & Sumit K. Kundu & Torben Pedersen, 2010. "Reconceptualizing the Firm in a World of Outsourcing and Offshoring: The Organizational and Geographical Relocation of High‐Value Company Functions," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(8), pages 1417-1433, December.
    20. Caniëls, Marjolein C.J. & Roeleveld, Adriaan, 2009. "Power and dependence perspectives on outsourcing decisions," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 27(6), pages 402-417, December.
    21. Birger Wernerfelt, 1984. "A resource‐based view of the firm," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 5(2), pages 171-180, April.
    22. Quélin, Bertrand & Duhamel, François, 2003. "Bringing Together Strategic Outsourcing and Corporate Strategy:: Outsourcing Motives and Risks," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 21(5), pages 647-661, October.
    23. Suder, Gabriele & Liesch, Peter W. & Inomata, Satoshi & Mihailova, Irina & Meng, Bo, 2015. "The evolving geography of production hubs and regional value chains across East Asia: Trade in value-added," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 50(3), pages 404-416.
    24. Giuliani, Elisa & Pietrobelli, Carlo & Rabellotti, Roberta, 2005. "Upgrading in Global Value Chains: Lessons from Latin American Clusters," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 33(4), pages 549-573, April.
    25. S.A. Lippman & R.P. Rumelt, 1982. "Uncertain Imitability: An Analysis of Interfirm Differences in Efficiency under Competition," Bell Journal of Economics, The RAND Corporation, vol. 13(2), pages 418-438, Autumn.
    26. Gary Gereffi & Joonkoo Lee, 2016. "Economic and Social Upgrading in Global Value Chains and Industrial Clusters: Why Governance Matters," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 133(1), pages 25-38, January.
    27. Geyskens, I. & Steenkamp, J.E.B.M. & Scheer, L.K. & Kumar, N., 1996. "The effects of trust and interdependence on relationship commitment : A trans-Atlantic study," Other publications TiSEM ef7c8d6c-963d-4ee7-8576-9, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    28. Erin Anderson & Barton Weitz, 1989. "Determinants of Continuity in Conventional Industrial Channel Dyads," Marketing Science, INFORMS, vol. 8(4), pages 310-323.
    29. Henry Wai-chung Yeung & Neil M. Coe, 2015. "Toward a Dynamic Theory of Global Production Networks," Economic Geography, Clark University, vol. 91(1), pages 29-58, January.
    30. repec:bla:jomstd:v:47:y:2010:i:s2:p:1417-1433 is not listed on IDEAS
    31. Bart Los & Marcel P. Timmer & Gaaitzen J. Vries, 2015. "How Global Are Global Value Chains? A New Approach To Measure International Fragmentation," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 55(1), pages 66-92, January.
    32. Ingemar Dierickx & Karel Cool, 1989. "Asset Stock Accumulation and the Sustainability of Competitive Advantage: Reply," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 35(12), pages 1514-1514, December.
    33. Andersson, Ulf & Dasí, Àngels & Mudambi, Ram & Pedersen, Torben, 2016. "Technology, innovation and knowledge: The importance of ideas and international connectivity," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 51(1), pages 153-162.
    34. Peter J Buckley & Pervez N Ghauri, 2004. "Globalisation, economic geography and the strategy of multinational enterprises," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 35(3), pages 255-255, May.
    35. Andrabi, Tahir & Ghatak, Maitreesh & Khwaja, Asim Ijaz, 2006. "Subcontractors for tractors: Theory and evidence on flexible specialization, supplier selection, and contracting," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 79(2), pages 273-302, April.
    36. Gietzmann, Miles B., 1996. "Incomplete contracts and the make or buy decision: Governance design and attainable flexibility," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 21(6), pages 611-626, August.
    37. Gary Gereffi, 2014. "Global value chains in a post-Washington Consensus world," Review of International Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(1), pages 9-37, February.
    38. Williamson, Oliver E, 1995. "Hierarchies, Markets and Power in the Economy: An Economic Perspective," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 4(1), pages 21-49.
    39. repec:bla:jomstd:v:47:y:2010:i:s2:p:1510-1533 is not listed on IDEAS
    40. Andrew M. Pettigrew, 1990. "Longitudinal Field Research on Change: Theory and Practice," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 1(3), pages 267-292, August.
    41. Felix Reimann & David J. Ketchen Jr., 2017. "Power in Supply Chain Management," Journal of Supply Chain Management, Institute for Supply Management, vol. 53(2), pages 3-9, April.
    42. Benjamin M Oviatt & Patricia Phillips McDougall, 1994. "Toward a Theory of International New ventures," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 25(1), pages 45-64, March.
    43. Stefano Ponte & Timothy Sturgeon, 2014. "Explaining governance in global value chains: A modular theory-building effort," Review of International Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(1), pages 195-223, February.
    44. Peter J. Buckley & Roger Strange, 2011. "The Governance of the Multinational Enterprise: Insights from Internalization Theory," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 48(2), pages 460-470, March.
    45. Pérez-Luño, Ana & Wiklund, Johan & Cabrera, Ramón Valle, 2011. "The dual nature of innovative activity: How entrepreneurial orientation influences innovation generation and adoption," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 26(5), pages 555-571, September.
    46. Donald McTavish & Ellen Pirro, 1990. "Contextual content analysis," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 245-265, August.
    47. Ingemar Dierickx & Karel Cool, 1989. "Asset Stock Accumulation and Sustainability of Competitive Advantage," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 35(12), pages 1504-1511, December.
    48. Mark Easterby‐Smith & Marjorie A. Lyles & Eric W. K. Tsang, 2008. "Inter‐Organizational Knowledge Transfer: Current Themes and Future Prospects," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(4), pages 677-690, June.
    49. Gereffi, Gary, 1999. "International trade and industrial upgrading in the apparel commodity chain," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 48(1), pages 37-70, June.
    50. Ram Mudambi & Markus Venzin, 2010. "The Strategic Nexus of Offshoring and Outsourcing Decisions," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(8), pages 1510-1533, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Debarati Ghosh & Meghna Dutta, 2023. "Credit Constraints and Increased Firm-Level Production Fragmentation: Evidence from India," Global Journal of Emerging Market Economies, Emerging Markets Forum, vol. 15(1), pages 93-108, January.
    2. Ali, Imran & Arslan, Ahmad & Chowdhury, Maruf & Khan, Zaheer & Tarba, Shlomo Y., 2022. "Reimagining global food value chains through effective resilience to COVID-19 shocks and similar future events: A dynamic capability perspective," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 1-12.
    3. Jimo, Ajeseun & Braziotis, Christos & Rogers, Helen & Pawar, Kulwant, 2022. "Additive manufacturing: A framework for supply chain configuration," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 253(C).
    4. Celetti, D., 2020. "Small Businesses in the Global Market: Evidence from the Fashion System of Vicenza Province (Italy)," R-Economy, Ural Federal University, Graduate School of Economics and Management, vol. 6(2), pages 74-88.
    5. Ioannis Bournakis & Sotiris Papaioannou & Marina Papanastassiou, 2022. "Multinationals and domestic total factor productivity: Competition effects, knowledge spillovers and foreign ownership," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(12), pages 3715-3750, December.
    6. Elena Borin & Fabio Donato, 2023. "Financial Sustainability of Digitizing Cultural Heritage: The International Platform Europeana," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-17, September.
    7. Chakravarty, Dwarka & Goerzen, Anthony & Musteen, Martina & Ahsan, Mujtaba, 2021. "Global cities: A multi-disciplinary review and research agenda," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 56(3).
    8. Brieger, Steven A. & Chowdhury, Farzana & Hechavarría, Diana M. & Muralidharan, Etayankara & Pathak, Saurav & Lam, Yan Tong, 2022. "Digitalization, institutions and new venture internationalization," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 28(4).
    9. Lahiri, Somnath & Karna, Amit & Chittaranjan Kalubandi, Sai & Edacherian, Saneesh, 2022. "Performance implications of outsourcing: A meta-analysis," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 1303-1316.
    10. Zamani, Omid & Gunarathne, Anoma, 2022. "Could Genetic Improvement Policies Boost Milk Production in Senegal? A Synthetic Control Method," 62nd Annual Conference, Stuttgart, Germany, September 7-9, 2022 329603, German Association of Agricultural Economists (GEWISOLA).
    11. Pelikan, Janine & Boimah, Mavis & Chibanda, Craig & Deblitz, Claus & Gunarathne, Anoma & Almadani, Isam Mohamad & Schott, Johanna & Thobe, Petra & Weible, Daniela & Zamani, Omid, 2022. "European Exports of Poultry and Milk Products to Ghana and Senegal: A Blessing or a Curse?," Conference papers 333432, Purdue University, Center for Global Trade Analysis, Global Trade Analysis Project.
    12. Oliveira, Luis & Fleury, Afonso & Fleury, Maria Tereza, 2021. "Digital power: Value chain upgrading in an age of digitization," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(6).
    13. Agnihotri, Arpita & Bhattacharya, Saurabh & Jafari-Sadeghi, Vahid, 2023. "Combatting global disruption through tertius iungens orientation of CEOs: A moderated-mediated mechanism," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 29(5).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Roger Strange, 2011. "The outsourcing of primary activities: theoretical analysis and propositions," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 15(2), pages 249-269, May.
    2. Jensen, Peter D. Ørberg, 2012. "A passage to India: A dual case study of activities, processes and resources in offshore outsourcing of advanced services," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 47(2), pages 311-326.
    3. McWilliam, Sarah E. & Kim, Jung Kwan & Mudambi, Ram & Nielsen, Bo Bernhard, 2020. "Global value chain governance: Intersections with international business," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 55(4).
    4. Buckley, Peter J. & Craig, Thomas D. & Mudambi, Ram, 2019. "Time to learn? Assignment duration in global value chain organization," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 508-518.
    5. Cuervo-Cazurra, Alvaro & Pananond, Pavida, 2023. "The rise of emerging market lead firms in global value chains," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    6. Roger Strange & John Humphrey, 2019. "What lies between market and hierarchy? Insights from internalization theory and global value chain theory," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 50(8), pages 1401-1413, October.
    7. Mehmet Ali Köseoglu & John A. Parnell & Melissa Yan Yee Yick, 2021. "Identifying influential studies and maturity level in intellectual structure of fields: evidence from strategic management," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 126(2), pages 1271-1309, February.
    8. Eriksson, Taina & Nummela, Niina & Saarenketo, Sami, 2014. "Dynamic capability in a small global factory," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 23(1), pages 169-180.
    9. Julien Gooris & Carine Peeters, 2014. "Fragmenting global business processes: A protection for proprietary information," Working Papers 2014-12, CEPII research center.
    10. Paul, Justin, 2020. "SCOPE framework for SMEs: A new theoretical lens for success and internationalization," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 38(2), pages 219-230.
    11. Aurélien Acquier & Cedric Dalmasso, 2013. "Combining Strategic Agility and Sustainable Competitive Advantage: the need for Resource Sensitivity," Post-Print hal-01487685, HAL.
    12. Jacqueline Mees-Buss & Catherine Welch & D. Eleanor Westney, 2019. "What happened to the transnational? The emergence of the neo-global corporation," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 50(9), pages 1513-1543, December.
    13. Liena Kano, 2018. "Global value chain governance: A relational perspective," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 49(6), pages 684-705, August.
    14. Choksy, Umair Shafi & Ayaz, Muhammad & Al-Tabbaa, Omar & Parast, Mahour, 2022. "Supplier resilience under the COVID-19 crisis in apparel global value chain (GVC): The role of GVC governance and supplier’s upgrading," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 249-267.
    15. Wilden, Ralf & Leiblein, Michael J. & Lin, Nidthida, 2024. "Exploring performance heterogeneity: Integrative insights from strategic management and marketing," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    16. Valentina De Marchi & Matthew Alford, 2022. "State policies and upgrading in global value chains: A systematic literature review," Journal of International Business Policy, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 5(1), pages 88-111, March.
    17. Sminia, Harry & Ates, Aylin & Paton, Steve & Smith, Marisa, 2019. "High value manufacturing: Capability, appropriation, and governance," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 37(4), pages 516-528.
    18. Enderwick, Peter & Buckley, Peter J., 2019. "Beyond supply and assembly relations: Collaborative innovation in global factory systems," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 547-556.
    19. Epede, Mesumbe Bianca & Wang, Daoping, 2022. "Global value chain linkages: An integrative review of the opportunities and challenges for SMEs in developing countries," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(5).
    20. Wang, Chun-Ju & Wu, Lei-Yu, 2012. "Team member commitments and start-up competitiveness," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 65(5), pages 708-715.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:103:y:2019:i:c:p:581-595. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/jbusres .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.