Showing papers on "Resource dependence theory published in 2020"

Pandemics and Supply Chain Management Research: Toward a Theoretical Toolbox*

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic paralyzed the world and revealed the critical importance of supply chain management - perhaps more so than any other event in modern history - in navigating crises. The extensive scope of disruption, massive spillover of effects across countries and industries, and extreme shifts in demand and supply that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic illustrate that pandemics are qualitatively different from typical disruptions. As such, pandemics require scholars to take a fresh look at what lenses offer understanding of supply chain phenomena in order to help supply chain managers better prepare for the next pandemic and foster transiliency (i.e., the ability to simultaneously restore some processes and change - often radically - others). To help scholars and managers achieve these aims, we offer an agenda for supply chain management research on pandemics by considering how the key tenets of well-known and emergent theories can illuminate challenges and potential solutions. Specifically, we consider how resource dependence theory, institutional theory, resource orchestration theory, structural inertia, game theory, real options theory, event systems theory, awareness-motivation-capability framework, prospect theory, and tournament theory offer ideas that can help scholars build knowledge about pandemics' effects on supply chains as well as help managers formulate responses. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Operational resource theory of quantum channels

Abstract: In this work, the authors propose a general resource framework for quantum channels, based on which they study general connections between channel and state resource theories and investigate general properties of the operational resource theory of channels, without specifying the resource being studied. Concrete examples in the resource theory of coherence are also provided.

Corporate social responsibility strategy and corporate environmental and social performance: The moderating role of board gender diversity

Abstract: Drawing on upper echelons and resource dependence theories and using data of European listed companies over the period 2009–2016, we examine the effects of corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy and board gender diversity on environmental and social performance. In particular, we investigate whether CSR strategy contributes to improving corporate environmental and social performance, and whether this relationship is moderated by board gender diversity. Our empirical findings suggest that firms with more effective CSR strategies exhibit better environmental and social performance. The results also show that board gender diversity is positively associated with environmental and social performance, thus supporting the notion that board gender diversity promotes sustainable development. Furthermore, the findings reveal that the positive relationship between CSR strategy and environmental performance is negatively moderated by board gender diversity. Finally, the results show that that national governance quality and firm size are important underlying factors affecting corporate environmental and social performance.

Do blockchain and circular economy practices improve post COVID-19 supply chains? A resource-based and resource dependence perspective

Abstract: Using the resource-based and the resource dependence theoretical approaches of the firm, the paper explores firm responses to supply chain disruptions during COVID-19. The paper explores how firms develop localization, agility and digitization (L-A-D) capabilities by applying (or not applying) their critical circular economy (CE) and blockchain technology (BCT)-related resources and capabilities that they either already possess or acquire from external agents.,An abductive approach, applying exploratory qualitative research was conducted over a sample of 24 firms. The sample represented different industries to study their critical BCT and CE resources and capabilities and the L-A-D capabilities. Firm resources and capabilities were classified using the technology, organization and environment (TOE) framework.,Findings show significant patterns on adoption levels of the blockchain-enabled circular economy system (BCES) and L-A-D capability development. The greater the BCES adoption capabilities, the greater the L-A-D capabilities. Organizational size and industry both influence the relationship between BCES and L-A-D. Accordingly, research propositions and a research framework are proposed.,Given the limited sample size, the generalizability of the findings is limited. Our findings extend supply chain resiliency research. A series of propositions provide opportunities for future research. The resource-based view and resource-dependency theories are useful frameworks to better understanding the relationship between firm resources and supply chain resilience.,The results and discussion of this study serve as useful guidance for practitioners to create CE and BCT resources and capabilities for improving supply chain resiliency.,The study shows the socio-economic and socio-environmental importance of BCES in the COVID-19 or similar crises.,The study is one of the initial attempts that highlights the possibilities of BCES across multiple industries and their value during pandemics and disruptions.

Do board characteristics drive firm performance? An international perspective

Abstract: The aim of our research is to analyze how board characteristics influence firm performance. In this paper, we specifically examine how board size, board independence, CEO duality, female directors and board compensation affect firm performance in a sample of international firms. The final panel data sample is composed of 10,314 firm-year observations belonging to 34 countries that have been grouped into six geographic zones: Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America and Oceania. Drawing on agency theory and dependence resource theory, we posit five hypotheses. The results show that some board characteristics, such as board size, board independence and having a female director, are positively associated with firm performance, whereas CEO duality, contrary to our expectations, also impacts positively on firm performance. Moreover, board compensation is not associated with firm performance. Tobin’s Q was used to measure firm performance, although an accounting measure was also employed for robustness analyses and to provide more validity to our results.

European firms’ corporate biodiversity disclosures and board gender diversity from 2002 to 2016

Abstract: We examine how board gender diversity is associated with biodiversity disclosures of a firm, and whether the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the EU biodiversity strategy reinforce this relationship. Using institutional theory and resource dependency theory, our sample comprises 4013 firm-year observations from European corporations covering data from 2002 to 2016. We use panel regressions with country, time and industry dummy variables to analyse the disclosure of biodiversity initiatives (DBI) and logit regressions to explain biodiversity impact assessment (BIA). We find that board gender diversity is positively associated with the DBI and BIA of a firm, and that the GRI framework and the EU biodiversity strategy positively moderate this relationship. Moreover, the GRI framework and the EU strategic plan show positive relationship with the DBI, rather than BIA. Altogether, our evidence suggests that corporate boards with a higher proportion of female directors are more sensitive to the concerns of institutional pressures and respond to those concerns by increasing corporate biodiversity disclosures. Overall, we find that firms tend to comply with the GRI framework and the EU 2020 strategy by undertaking symbolic biodiversity disclosures, rather than providing a comprehensive disclosure of their impacts on biodiversity.

Does board gender diversity influence voluntary disclosure of intellectual capital in initial public offering prospectuses? Evidence from China

Abstract: Research question/issue. Using a multitheoretic view of boards, this study examines the impact of boardroom gender diversity (BGD) on voluntary intellectual capital (IC) disclosure in initial public offering (IPO) prospectuses in China—the world's second‐biggest economy, which is moving from a planned economy to a market‐oriented one. Furthermore, this study also investigates the impact of family ownership on the relationship between BGD and IC disclosure in the Chinese environment, which is characterized by less‐developed corporate governance mechanisms. Research findings/insights. Based on a comprehensive content analysis of Chinese IPO prospectuses between 2009 and 2017 and measuring disclosure index at 78 dimensions under six broad categories of IC, the empirical results document (a) a significant positive relation between BGD and IC disclosure—in line with resource dependence theory, (b) a significant negative impact of female independent directors on IC disclosure—opposite to agency theory predictions, and that (c) the BGD–IC disclosure relationship is generally stronger for firms with two or more women on boards—in line with critical mass theory in China. Finally, this study also reveals that family ownership has adverse impacts on the BGD–IC disclosure relationship. These results are robust to a battery of sensitivity analyses. Practitioner/policy implications. This study provides positive capital market implications of BGD through enhanced IC disclosure in IPO prospectuses. In doing so, the study has important implications for regulators and top management teams in devising policies concerning female representation on boards and voluntary disclosure of IC to inform the market participants of the true value of the company.

Industrial structure distortion and urban ecological efficiency from the perspective of green entrepreneurial ecosystems

Abstract: Improving the entrepreneurial ecosystem plays an important role in the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, and achieving the coordinated development of economy and environment among cities is important for improving the quality and efficiency of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Using the panel data of 286 prefecture-level cities in China from 2003 to 2016, this study adopts the global reference super efficiency slack-based measure model considering undesirable output to measure China's urban ecological efficiency. In addition, the spatial lag model is used to investigate the impacts of industrial structure advancement and rationalization on ecological efficiency, and the impacts of the heterogeneity of industrial structure and economic development under the distortion of resource dependence on ecological efficiency. The results show that: every one-unit increase in the advancement of industrial structure will lead to a 0.0741 unit increase in ecological efficiency, but the high dependence on natural resources will inhibit the promoting effect of industrial structure advancement on ecological efficiency, and such an inhibiting effect will weaken with the improvement of economic development level; moreover, the influence coefficient of industrial structure rationalization on ecological efficiency is not significant, nor is it affected by the natural resource dependence and the level of economic development. This paper hereby proposes that in the process of promoting green entrepreneurial activity at present, the Chinese government should give full play to the role of industrial structure advancement on improving ecological efficiency, actively break through the constraints restricting the impact of industrial structure rationalization, reduce excessive dependence on resource industries, improve the level of regional economic development, and strive to transform resource-intensive industries to technology-intensive industries to support the sustainable development of a green entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Overcoming the liability of outsidership for emerging market MNEs: A capability-building perspective

Abstract: This paper develops and discusses a model describing how multinational enterprises from emerging economies (EMNEs) overcome the liability of outsidership in their internationalization from a capability-building perspective. Our aim is to celebrate the important intellectual contribution of Johanson and Vahlne (J Int Bus Stud 40(9):1411–1431, 2009), who introduced the liability of outsidership concept. We first discuss learning from the local environment that can reduce outsidership, and then explain how greater absorptive capacity can translate into better performance internationally. Finally, we elaborate on how the institutional environment further conditions the process and the outcomes of learning. We conclude with some suggestions for future research from five theoretical perspectives: learning, social network theory, institutional theory, resource dependence theory, and MNE structure and design.

What Is the Mechanism of Resource Dependence and High-Quality Economic Development? An Empirical Test from China

Abstract: For a long time, the resource curse had been widely concerned by researchers all over the world, especially in China. At present, China is in the transition stage from high-speed economic growth to high-quality development, and innovation and talents are important drivers. However, the existing research lacked an empirical test on resource curse and its transmission mechanism at the provincial level in China at this stage. In order to test the mechanism of transformation and upgrading of resource-based regions in the period of high-quality economic development, this study used the panel data of 30 provincial administrative regions of Chinese mainland (not including Tibet) from 2007 to 2017 to build a multi-step, multi-mediation model, and explored the direct and indirect impact mechanism of resource dependence on the high-quality economic development using the bootstrap method and generalized least square method. The key findings of this study were as follows: (1) The high-quality economic development level in the central and western provinces of China had been in a backward position compared with the eastern provinces. (2) There was a “resource curse” in the stage of high-quality economic development at the provincial level in China. (3) In terms of transmission mechanism, resource dependence had a negative impact on the high-quality economic development through the crowding-out effect of innovation investment and talents. Our conclusion provides a theoretical reference for other countries and regions to explore the relationship between resource dependence and high-quality economic development and may inform the economic development strategies by policymakers that wish to transform and upgrade the resource-based regional economy.

The Implications of Firm‐Specific Policy Risk, Policy Uncertainty, and Industry Factors for Inventory: A Resource Dependence Perspective

Abstract: The risk created by government policymaking can be daunting, but little is known about the extent to which this risk is disruptive to business in general and to supply chain operations in particular. Because government is a powerful and omnipresent entity, scholars and executives alike could benefit from greater understanding of how firms react to risk emanating from the policymaking process. To help address this gap, we use resource dependence theory to develop hypotheses concerning the accumulation of inventory by firms to buffer against their exposure to potential policy changes and how such a link might be moderated by macro‐level and industry‐level factors. Data from 19,634 firm‐year observations reveal that firms accumulate more inventory as a buffer against policy risk under conditions of high policy uncertainty and high industry dynamism. Overall, our findings support the predictions of resource dependence theory and refine understanding of supply chain responses to macro‐level uncertainty by demonstrating the contingent influence of government policy. In doing so, our study provides a foundation for future research to explore the intersections between government actions and supply chain activities and offers insights for managers and policymakers about how to factor government into their decision calculi.

The Tangled Historical Roots Of Entrepreneurial Growth Aspirations

Abstract: Research Summary: We consider what configurations of historical and geographic dimensions influence entrepreneurial growth aspirations (EGA). Our theoretical framework combines geography (coastal location, resource dependence), long-term colonial history (ethnic heterogeneity, legal origins), and postcolonial history (low levels of conflict and population displacement; not having “bad neighbors”). We employ abductive reasoning to link the social science and historical literatures via analytically structured histories of Ghana, Nigeria, and Angola. Next, we undertake a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis on sub-Saharan Africa countries to investigate which particular configurations of these dimensions are important for EGA. We demonstrate the importance of configurations over individual variables and add context-bound dimensions to the study of entrepreneurship in developing countries, through historical analysis. Managerial Summary: Our analysis may offer entrepreneurs a template for identifying potential opportunities and threats in order to calibrate their strategies for scaling up their venture in sub-Saharan Africa. We argue that environments rich in entrepreneurial growth opportunities are associated with configurations where negative aspects are more than compensated by positive ones. For Botswana, the low levels of internal conflict compensate for unfavorable location. For Angola, the positive impact of coastal location and relatively low ethnic heterogeneity counterbalance the negative effect of resource rents. Resource-driven economies are more entrepreneurial: better economic opportunities can sometimes result from having extractive industries. For African entrepreneurs it is not only relevant what happens in their own countries, as their opportunities are directly affected by economic or political turmoil in neighboring countries.

Board Gender Diversity and Environmental, Social & Governance Performance of US Banks: Moderating role of Environmental Social and Corporate Controversies

Abstract: Purpose: Gender diversity in corporate boards is broadly studied in existing corporate governance literature. However, the role of board gender diversity on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance of the banks is still unaccounted for. Drawing on resource dependence and legitimacy theory, this study addresses this pressing research issue. Moreover, investigation of ESG controversies as moderator paves the existing corporate governance research to the new avenues. Design/methodology/approach: Data sourced from Refinitiv database on 37 US banks from the period of 2013 to 2017. This study employs static and dynamic panel regression models that include random effects, fixed effects and dynamic generalised method of moments (GMM) to test the hypotheses. Furthermore, system GMM is used to reduce the issue of endogeneity, measurement error, omitted variables bias and bank-specific heterogeneity. Findings: We identify a significant positive relationship between board gender diversity and the ESG performance of US banks. However, the result propounds non-significant moderating effect of ESG controversies on the board gender diversity – ESG performance nexus. Originality/value: Literature on board gender diversity and ESG separately and predominantly explains firm/bank’s financial performance. This study is one of the pioneering attempts to explain the role of board gender diversity on ESG performance. Although incremental, however, this study also contributes to the literature on ESG in the US context.

Contracting as a bridging factor linking outer and inner contexts during EBP implementation and sustainment: a prospective study across multiple U.S. public sector service systems

Abstract: Bridging factors are relational ties (e.g. partnerships), formal arrangements (e.g. contracts or polices) and processes (e.g. data sharing agreements) linking outer and inner contexts and are a recent evolution of the Exploration-Preparation-Implementation-Sustainment (EPIS) framework. Bridging factor research can elucidate ways that service systems may influence and/or be influenced by organizations providing health services. This study used the EPIS framework and open systems and resource dependence theoretical approaches to examine contracting arrangements in U.S. public sector systems. Contracting arrangements function as bridging factors through which systems communicate, interact, and exchange resources with the organizations operating within them. The sample included 17 community-based organizations in eight service systems. Longitudinal data is derived from 113 contract documents and 88 qualitative interviews and focus groups involving system and organizational stakeholders. Analyses consisted of a document review using content analysis and focused coding of transcripts from the interviews and focus groups. A multiple case study analysis was conducted to identify patterns across service systems and organizations. The dataset represented service systems that had sustained the same EBP for between 2 and 10 years, which allowed for observation of bridging factors and outer-inner context interactions over time. Service systems and organizations influenced each other in a number of ways through contracting arrangements. Service systems influenced organizations when contracting arrangements resulted in changes to organizational functioning, required organizational responses to insufficient funding, and altered interorganizational network relationships. Organizations influenced service systems when contract arrangements prompted organization-driven contract negotiation/tailoring, changes to system-level processes, and interorganizational collaboration. Service systems and organizations were dependent on each other as implementation progressed. Resources beyond funding emerged, including adequate numbers of eligible clients, expertise in the evidence-based practice, and training and coaching capacity. This study advances implementation science by expanding the range and definition of bridging factors and illustrating specific bi-directional influences between outer context service systems and inner context organizations. This study also identifies bi-directional dependencies over the course of implementation and sustainment. An analysis of influence, dependencies, and resources exchanged through bridging factors has direct implications for selecting and tailoring implementation strategies, especially those that require system-level coordination and change.

Impact of the global mineral trade structure on national economies based on complex network and panel quantile regression analyses

Abstract: Mineral resources are considered the upstream raw materials of the industrial chain and represent an important material basis for economic sustainable development. Countries have different mineral resource endowments promote trade development. According to the theory of resource dependence and interdependence, countries have close trade relations, through which they can exchange resources to meet domestic needs and economic development. Different countries have different trading partners, media capabilities and importance in the networks, which make them different in the ability to obtain and provide resources, thus leading to different roles of countries and different influences on their GDP. Therefore, we construct global mineral trade networks and analyze their overall characteristics; we use network parameters to represent the roles of the countries and apply the panel quantile regression method to test the relationship between the roles of the countries and the GDPs. We find that a country's media capacity is beneficial to economic growth, and when a country's resources are readily accessible, it is adverse to the economic development; export is conducive to economic growth, while high dependence on external resources is not conducive to economic growth and it is good for a country's economy to have many important trading partners. In addition, countries with a high economic level should attach more importance to the strategic reserve of mineral resources, while countries with a low economic level should attach more importance to the development of an international market.

Maximising “community benefits” in public procurement: tensions and trade-offs

Abstract: Purpose - This study aims to illuminate the challenges involved in implementing Community Benefits (CBs), a sustainable public procurement policy that ensures that there are positive social and economic outcomes for the local community when public money is spent on goods, works and services. Design/methodology/approach - Interviews and focus groups were conducted with public sector buyers and suppliers in Wales with experience in implementing CBs. Resource dependence theory was used to examine the extent to which dependence on resources effects CBs implementation. Findings - Whilst the study confirms that implementation of CBs improves economic and social outcomes, there can also be challenges for public sector organisations and their constituent supply chains. These include tensions between CBs and other policies, differing views between buyers and suppliers, and the unintended consequences of promoting one form of CBs over another. Research and practical limitations/implications – The research found that the Welsh Government influences the buyer-supplier dyad through regulatory and financial power. We elaborate on resource dependency theory by adding four constructs (powerful stakeholders, intra and inter organisational issues, challenges, and enablers) to better understand the flows of power and resources in this research context. Buyer and supplier practitioners may find the factors leading to successful CBs implementation useful, such as ensuring closer communication and liaison at early contract stages. Originality/value - This study addresses the need for research into how public sector organisations and suppliers seek to implement socio-economic sustainability measures, and the lack of research on CBs implementation to date. It is also novel in adopting a dyadic approach and a resource dependency perspective.

Last to come and last to go? The complex role of gender and ethnicity in the reputational penalties for directors linked to corporate fraud

Abstract: Scholars have found consistent evidence that directors who served on boards of firms accused of misconduct face reputational penalties in the director labor market. While commonly interpreted in te...

Impact of COVID-19 on Employee Behavior: Stress and Coping Mechanism During WFH (Work From Home) Among Service Industry Employees

Abstract: The continuing crisis of Coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19) has changed our lives considerably; imposing the need for various modifications for organizations and individuals to cope up in this testing time. This study is undertaken to have an insight on how organizations and individuals adapt to these changes and challenges. The impact of coronavirus on human body is well known and more research is underway but what it does to the human behavior and the psychosocial effects are yet to be unraveled. To dive deep into the behavioral consequences of such pandemic, 23 in-depth interviews (Male 12; female 13, average age of 39 years) were conducted with middle level managers in public and private service industry of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Using the Conservation of resource theory (COR), this paper explores the employee’s perception of different types of stressors and examine a variety of coping mechanisms including the type of organizational support provided during this crisis. The findings of the interview suggest that the stress levels were moderate to high among all the participants. The main themes emerged from the interviews were categorized into five; (i) Triggers of stress (ii) Organizational support (iii) Coping strategies and resources (iv) Blurred boundaries during WFH and (v) Positivity in this crisis. The study presents an integrated Stress Model with key triggers, coping strategies (resources), organization support and outcome. The triggers inducing stress includes fear of unknown, ineffective communication at work, lack of clarity and direction, interruptions during WFH resulting in loss of resources like time and energy. All this might disturb employee’s mental health leading to prolonged stress or even psychosomatic diseases. Therefore, it is an important issues which need to be given priority in all organizations. The findings support the notion that there is a dire need for psycho-social support, community support and an effective system of organizational support to sustain employee’s emotional and mental wellbeing. The findings of the study are valuable and have urgent policy implications for devising a special EAP for crisis like COVID-19 and any future cases. Although the lockdown would be gradually eased, organizations need to rethink about different alternatives to work. The need of the hour is to be more agile and flexible to foster creativity and innovation.

Can One Stone Kill Two Birds? Political Relationship Building and Partner Acquisition in New Ventures:

Abstract: We extend the resource dependence theory to argue for the opposing effects of political relationship building on new ventures’ abilities to obtain suppliers and buyers. By signaling endorsement and...