Linking relation-specific investments and sustainability performance: the mediating role of supply chain learning
International Journal of Operations & Production Management
ISSN: 0144-3577
Article publication date: 28 March 2023
Issue publication date: 8 August 2023
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the growing interest in the role of relation-specific investments (RSIs) in superior firm performance, their impact on sustainability performance remains unexplored, as do the underlying mechanisms of such effects. Drawing on the relational view and resource orchestration theory (ROT), the authors propose that supply chain learning (SCL) mediates the link between RSIs and sustainability performance.
Design/methodology/approach
A multi-method approach was adopted, combining a case study and survey. An exploratory case study of four Chinese manufacturing firms was first conducted to develop research hypotheses. A quantitative survey of data collected from 269 firms was then undertaken to test hypotheses.
Findings
Property-based, knowledge-based and personal-based RSIs positively impact firm sustainability performance and SCL. SCL fully mediates the relationship between knowledge-as well as personal-based RSIs and sustainability performance, and partially mediates the relationship between property-based RSIs and sustainability performance.
Practical implications
The study unveils important practical insights and approaches for firms endeavouring to achieve sustainability performance through RSIs and SCL.
Originality/value
The study extends the RSIs literature by linking RSIs and sustainability performance and differentiating the effects of different types of RSIs on sustainability performance. The theorized underlying mechanism advances the understanding of SCL in the link between RSIs and sustainability performance.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province (No. 2021J05208); the Research Project of Fashu Foundation (No. MFS23008); the Minjiang University Postgraduate Teaching Reform Research Project (No. 417060020103); the Newcastle University Business School Research and Scholarship Fund.
Citation
Yang, Y., Jiang, Y., Chen, H. and Xu, Z. (2023), "Linking relation-specific investments and sustainability performance: the mediating role of supply chain learning", International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Vol. 43 No. 8, pp. 1329-1356. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOPM-07-2022-0463
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited