The moderating effect of Guanxi on supply chain competencies of logistics firms in China

摘要

This paper aims to explore the causal linkages between information sharing, trust & commitment and relationship-specific investment, and logistics and supply chain (LSC) competencies of logistics service providers (LSPs). The moderating effect of Guanxi on the relationships between the three dimensions and LSC competencies of LSPs was also explored. A conceptual model of LSC competencies was developed based on Social Capital Theory. The hierarchical multiple regression analysis results based on a survey conducted in China reveal that relationship management factors (i.e. information sharing and trust & commitment) are significantly related to LSC competencies while relationship-specific investment has no significant relationship with LSC competencies. The results also reveal that significant negative moderation effects of Guanxi on the relationships between information sharing and positioning competency, between information sharing and distribution support competency. In addition, it was found that significant negative moderation effects of Guanxi exist on the relationships between relationship-specific investment and positioning competency.