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Knowledge integration taxonomy in buyer–supplier relationships: Trade-offs between efficiency and innovation

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  • Revilla, Elena
  • Villena, Verónica H.

Abstract

Based on the knowledge-based view of inter-firm collaboration, this study develops and proposes a parsimonious taxonomy of how buyers and suppliers develop knowledge integration in terms of two mechanisms: joint sense meaning and joint decision making. The first focuses on the interpretation and sense making of knowledge about strategic, relevant issues for the buyer–supplier relationship (BSR). The latter emphasizes joint problem solving related to their interlinked operative routine activities. Using survey data from 130 collaborative BSRs and cluster analysis, the results suggest that buyers that purposely develop a balanced knowledge integration with their suppliers—characterized by managing high levels of both joint sense meaning and joint decision making—show improved efficiency and innovation simultaneously even though they have to deal with the tension of managing the requirements of these two key, albeit competing outcomes. The results also suggest that buyers pursuing focused knowledge integration with their suppliers—characterized by managing high levels of either joint sense meaning or joint decision making—outperform in a specific outcome at the expense of the other. This study thus provides a comprehensive framework that allows organizations to evaluate the knowledge integration strategy that best supports their goals related to their collaborative buyer–supplier relationships.

Suggested Citation

  • Revilla, Elena & Villena, Verónica H., 2012. "Knowledge integration taxonomy in buyer–supplier relationships: Trade-offs between efficiency and innovation," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 140(2), pages 854-864.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:proeco:v:140:y:2012:i:2:p:854-864
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpe.2012.07.002
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    Cited by:

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    2. Nurhayati, Kartika & Tavasszy, Lóránt & Rezaei, Jafar, 2023. "Joint B2B supply chain decision-making: Drivers, facilitators and barriers," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 256(C).
    3. Babbar, Sunil & Behara, Ravi S. & Koufteros, Xenophon A. & Wong, Christina W.Y., 2018. "Charting leadership in SCM research from Asia and Europe," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 350-378.
    4. Babbar, Sunil & Behara, Ravi S. & Koufteros, Xenophon A. & Huo, Baofeng, 2017. "Emergence of Asia and Australasia in operations management research and leadership," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 80-94.
    5. Chen, Kuan-Yang & Huan, Tzung-Cheng, 2022. "Explore how SME family businesses of travel service industry use market knowledge for product innovation," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 519-530.
    6. Gligor, David & Russo, Ivan & Maloni, Michael J., 2022. "Understanding gender differences in logistics innovation: A complexity theory perspective," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 246(C).
    7. Imranul Hoque & Mohammad B. Rana, 2020. "Buyer–supplier relationships from the perspective of working environment and organisational performance: review and research agenda," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 70(1), pages 1-50, February.
    8. Yang, Jie & Yu, Guangsheng & Liu, Mingyu & Xie, Hongming & Liu, Haiwei, 2018. "Disentangling the impact of cost transparency on cooperation efficiency in exchange partnerships," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 197(C), pages 27-34.

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