Hoque, S. F., Sinkovics, N. and Sinkovics, R. R. (2016) Supplier strategies to compensate for knowledge asymmetries in buyer-supplier relationships: implications for economic upgrading. European Journal of International Management, 10(3), pp. 254-283. (doi: 10.1504/EJIM.2016.076292)
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Abstract
This paper explores a special form of international outsourcing relationship in which suppliers make recurrent discrete transactions with the same buyers over a long period of time without the existence of any original legally binding written agreement. The study examines three research questions: (1) Can suppliers in such relationships access any of their buyers' tacit knowledge? (2) What implications does their access or the lack thereof have for their economic upgrading? (3) What strategies do suppliers adopt to compensate for existing knowledge asymmetries? The case analysis of three small Bangladeshi garment manufacturers reveals the following key findings. The studied firms only have access to their buyers' explicit/codified knowledge. Notwithstanding this, they have successfully developed relevant knowledge that has allowed them to engage in process upgrading.
Item Type: | Articles |
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Additional Information: | Financial support from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), UK, who funded part of Rudolf Sinkovics’ time [grant number RES-075-25-0028], is gratefully acknowledged. |
Keywords: | Knowledge acquisition, knowledge sources, economic upgrading, buyer-supplier relationship, outsourcing. |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Sinkovics, Professor Rudolf and Sinkovics, Dr Noemi |
Authors: | Hoque, S. F., Sinkovics, N., and Sinkovics, R. R. |
College/School: | College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Management |
Journal Name: | European Journal of International Management |
Publisher: | Inderscience |
ISSN: | 1751-6757 |
ISSN (Online): | 1751-6765 |
Published Online: | 05 May 2016 |
Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2016 The Authors |
First Published: | First published in European Journal of International Management 10(3): 254-283 |
Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons License |
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