Resource-based Modeling of B2B E-commerce's Effects on Achieving Supply Chain Ambidexterity: A Focus on Dynamic Heterogeneity

摘要

Drawing on organizational theories of resource-based view (RBV) and dynamic capability, this paper introduces a novel concept of dynamic heterogeneity to better characterize the significant impact of B2B electronic commerce (B2BEC),especially B2B information systems (B2BIS),on achieving supply chain ambidexterity. B2BEC dynamic heterogeneity is defined as available,invertible,and matched capability-related resources and intention-related resources; it is a comparative measurement as reflected by different attribute distributions of B2BIS resources,B2BIS-enabled resources and B2BISindependent resources . By extending previous research and learning from our pilot surveys,this position paper contributes to supply chain research and information system (IS) research on three aspects: First,we specify the positive link between B2BIS and B2BIS-enabled capacity-related resources (such as information sharing,process integration and organizational learning),which in turn directly enhances supply chain ambidexterity practices and ultimately improves the level of supply chain ambidexterity; second,our findings suggest that B2BIS brings in intention-related resources (such as, credible expectation of future benefits,supplier structural embeddedness) which ensures the capacityrelated resources can take effect; third,B2BISindependent resources (such as,relational governance) is presented and considered as a premise for temporal separation and parallel structure supply chain ambidexterity. By analyzing the effects of B2BIS on supply chain ambidexterity,we conclude that it takes not only capacity-related resources but also associated intention-related resources to improve supply chain ambidexterity. Only by taking advantage of these two types of resources simultaneously can we achieve B2BEC dynamic heterogeneity and thus to achieve optimal supply chain ambidexterity.