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The effect of buyer digital capability advantage on supplier unethical behavior: A moderated mediation model of relationship transparency and relational capital

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  • Zhang, Yanming
  • Huo, Baofeng
  • Haney, Mark H.
  • Kang, Mingu

Abstract

Drawing on organizational information processing theory, this study suggests a moderated mediation model that demonstrates how a buyer firm's digital capability advantage can reduce the unethical behavior of its suppliers. We collected two-wave survey data from 223 Chinese manufacturing firms and applied ordinary least squares regressions and the PROCESS macro model to test the proposed hypotheses. The findings reveal that a buyer firm's digital capability advantage indirectly decreases supplier unethical behavior through enhancing relationship transparency. In addition, this indirect effect is weaker when the level of relational capital is high. By examining the conditional indirect relationship between digital capability advantage and relational capital, this study provides valuable insights into how a buyer firm may effectively utilize digital capability advantage to improve relationship transparency and thereby reduce suppliers' unethical behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhang, Yanming & Huo, Baofeng & Haney, Mark H. & Kang, Mingu, 2022. "The effect of buyer digital capability advantage on supplier unethical behavior: A moderated mediation model of relationship transparency and relational capital," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 253(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:proeco:v:253:y:2022:i:c:s0925527322001864
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpe.2022.108603
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    5. Huang, Kerry & Wang, Kedi & Lee, Peter K.C. & Yeung, Andy C.L., 2023. "The impact of industry 4.0 on supply chain capability and supply chain resilience: A dynamic resource-based view," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 262(C).
    6. Krishna Kumar Dadsena & Pushpesh Pant & Sanjoy Kumar Paul & Saurabh Pratap, 2024. "Overcoming strategies for supply chain digitization barriers: Implications for sustainable development goals," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(5), pages 3887-3910, July.
    7. Feng Liu & Mingjie Fang & Shufeng Xiao & Yangyan Shi, 2025. "Mitigating bullwhip effect in supply chains by engaging in digital transformation: the moderating role of customer concentration," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 344(2), pages 825-846, January.
    8. Yu, Yubing & Xu, Jiawei & Zhang, Justin Z. & Liu, Yulong (David) & Kamal, Muhammad Mustafa & Cao, Yanhong, 2024. "Unleashing the power of AI in manufacturing: Enhancing resilience and performance through cognitive insights, process automation, and cognitive engagement," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 270(C).
    9. Jianqi Qiao & Suicheng Li & Su Xiong & Na Li, 2023. "How Does the Digital Capability Advantage Affect Green Supply Chain Innovation? An Inter-Organizational Learning Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-22, July.
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