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Competition and Trust: Evidence from German Car Manufacturers

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  • Leonardo Felli
  • Johannes Koenen
  • Konrad O. Stahl

Abstract

We explore the determinants and effects of trust relationships between upstream suppliers and downstream producers. Using unique survey data on individual supplier-buyer relationships in the German automotive industry, we show, by means of different measures of supplier-buyer trust, that higher levels of trust mitigate relationship-specific underinvestment in a classical hold-up situation. Moreover, contrary to the extant literature, we show that higher levels of supplier’s trust are reflected in the buyer’s choice of a more competitive procurement strategy among potential suppliers

Suggested Citation

  • Leonardo Felli & Johannes Koenen & Konrad O. Stahl, 2011. "Competition and Trust: Evidence from German Car Manufacturers," CESifo Working Paper Series 3358, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_3358
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    Cited by:

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    2. Nicholas Argyres & Janet Bercovitz & Giorgio Zanarone, 2020. "The role of relationship scope in sustaining relational contracts in interfirm networks," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 41(2), pages 222-245, February.
    3. Dietmar Harhoff & Elisabeth Mueller & John Van Reenen, 2014. "What are the Channels for Technology Sourcing? Panel Data Evidence from German Companies," Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 23(1), pages 204-224, March.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    trust; hold-up problem; competition; specific investment; suppliers; car manufacturers; German automotive industry;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D86 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Economics of Contract Law
    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • L22 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Organization and Market Structure
    • L62 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - Automobiles; Other Transportation Equipment; Related Parts and Equipment

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