| dc.description.abstract | Having the ability to mention the relationship with important partners in the network economy, a firm’s capability will be greatly strengthened. However, power asymmetries usually exist in interorganizational relationships, supplier firms are often more vulnerable than powerful firms. Then, as power asymmetry exists between firms, why do some vulnerable suppliers, such as the suppliers of Japanese automakers, have willingness to investment specific assets? Moreover, trust plays an important role in buyer-supplier relationship, but the relation among interdependence, trust and relationship-specific investments is not known clearly.
In this research, the author focuses on specific assets investments of firms with the relational view and the concept of interdependence, and discusses specific assets investments in buyer-supplier relationship with the perspective of vulnerable supplier. On the other hand, effects of trust and buyer’s commitment are considered at the same time. For the survey, 411 survey questionnaires were mailed to the targeted firms’ sales managers, sales assistants or product managers by using e-mail and fax. The response rate is amounted to 26.27%. After collecting the responded questionnaires, the data will be analyzed by factor analysis and linear regression.
The results indicate the mediating role of trust in relationship-specific investment. In another word, joint dependence has an impact on relationship-specific investments, but the impact is indirect. Furthermore, this research finds empirical evidence that the buyer’s commitment can ease the worry of high dependence asymmetry. The higher the level of buyer’s commitment, the higher the positive impact of dependence asymmetry on trust exists. | en_US |