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Asymmetric spiders: Supplier heterogeneity and the organization of firms

Author

Listed:
  • Verena Nowak
  • Christian Schwarz
  • Jens Suedekum

Abstract

We consider a property rights model of a firm with two heterogeneous suppliers and analyze which sourcing mode (outsourcing or vertical integration) is chosen for which of the asymmetric inputs. If components are close substitutes, the firm tends to outsource the technologically more important input while keeping the less important one inside its boundaries. This pattern can be reversed, however, if the two inputs are strongly complementary. The firm also tends to outsource low‐cost inputs and components with low sophistication. These theoretical predictions are consistent with numerous case studies and recent empirical evidence on the internal organization of firms. Asymétrie comme dans les toiles d'araignée : hétérogénéité des fournisseurs et organisation des firmes. On propose un modèle de droits de propriété d'une firme avec deux fournisseurs hétérogènes, et on examine quel régime de ressourcement (sous‐traitance ou intégration verticale) doit être choisi pour chacun des inputs asymétriques. Si les composantes sont de bons substituts, la firme tend à donner en sous‐traitance le plus technologiquement important, et à garder le moins important dans les frontières de la firme. Le pattern peut être renversé cependant si les deux intrants sont fortement complémentaires. La firme tend aussi à sous‐traiter les intrants à bas coûts et les composantes à faible sophistication. Ces prédictions théoriques sont consistantes avec de nombreuses études de cas et avec les résultats d'études empiriques récentes sur l'organisation interne de la firme.

Suggested Citation

  • Verena Nowak & Christian Schwarz & Jens Suedekum, 2016. "Asymmetric spiders: Supplier heterogeneity and the organization of firms," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 49(2), pages 663-684, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:canjec:v:49:y:2016:i:2:p:663-684
    DOI: 10.1111/caje.12209
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    Cited by:

    1. Berlingieri, Giuseppe & Pisch, Frank & Steinwender, Claudia, 2018. "Organizing global supply chains: input costs shares and vertical integration," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 91706, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    2. Greil, Stefan & Schwarz, Christian & Stein, Stefan, "undated". "Fairness and the Arm’s Length Principle in a Digital Economy [Fairness und der Fremdvergleichsgrundsatz in der digitalen Ökonomie]," Duesseldorf Working Papers in Applied Management and Economics 42, Duesseldorf University of Applied Sciences.
    3. Giuseppe Berlingieri & Frank Pisch & Claudia Steinwender, 2021. "Organizing Global Supply Chains: Input-Output Linkages and Vertical Integration," Journal of the European Economic Association, European Economic Association, vol. 19(3), pages 1816-1852.
    4. Nowak, Verena, 2014. "Organizational Decisions in Multistage Production Processes," VfS Annual Conference 2014 (Hamburg): Evidence-based Economic Policy 100613, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D23 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Organizational Behavior; Transaction Costs; Property Rights
    • L23 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Organization of Production
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business

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