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Conflict and performance in channels: a meta-analysis

Author

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  • Kamran Eshghi

    (Laurentian University)

  • Sourav Ray

    (McMaster University)

Abstract

Conflict between channel members is of great interest to marketers given its presumed negative impact on the channel’s business performance. In a comprehensive meta-analysis of the empirical literature spanning six decades between 1960 and 2020, we observe channel performance is indeed negatively linked to channel conflict. However, we find that this conflict–performance link has evolved significantly over time, roughly in keeping with the growth and maturing of e-commerce technologies. Further, the damage caused by conflict appears to be more pronounced for channels with international operations, and for channels with greater dependency between channel members. Additionally, businesses in North America seem to suffer the consequences of channel conflict more than others. Our results also show several study characteristics related to measurement and sampling significantly impact the empirical conflict–performance links reported in the literature. We base our conclusions on correlational analyses, two-stage meta-analytic structural equation modeling (TSSEM), and meta-analytic regression analyses (MARA).

Suggested Citation

  • Kamran Eshghi & Sourav Ray, 2021. "Conflict and performance in channels: a meta-analysis," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 49(2), pages 327-349, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joamsc:v:49:y:2021:i:2:d:10.1007_s11747-020-00751-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s11747-020-00751-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Vaishnav, Bharat & Ray, Sourav, 2023. "A thematic exploration of the evolution of research in multichannel marketing," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    2. Marleen Hermans & Néomie Raassens & Kathleen Cleeren, 2024. "What is the impact of a conflict delisting on firm value? An investigation of the role of conflict and firm characteristics," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 52(1), pages 240-259, January.

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