Labour economy: do unions really influence sourcing decisions?

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-40
Author(s):  
Kaylee Boccalatte
Keyword(s):  
Transaction Cost ◽  
Transaction Cost Economics ◽  
Road Transport ◽  
Regulatory Compliance ◽  
Home Delivery ◽  
Employment Relations ◽  
Transport Costs ◽  
Value Capture ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Union Avoidance

Purpose This article aims to uncover the influence employment relations, and more specifically union avoidance has on the decision to outsource road transport. Employment Relations literature often attributes outsourcing decision to decollectivist strategies, minimising the influence unions have in their workplaces or to labour cost reduction objectives. These explanations, however, fail to explain why some firms do not outsource when their sourcing structure incurs greater union involvement or industrial relation. Design/methodology/approach The author examines two case studies. Company A and Company B, while operating in a similar environment, selling similar products and offering a similar home delivery service have adopted different governance structures for their outbound transport function; Company A has integrated while Company B has outsourced. Was union avoidance or transaction cost reductions central to their respective decisions? Findings Company A did not integrate in an effort to circumvent union intervention or reduce costs. Company A’s integration, on the contrary, increased the firm’s dealings with unions, as well as regulatory compliance and transaction costs. Company B’s decision to outsource yielded similar results. While not experiencing an increase in union intervention, the firm failed to reduce the density of unionised labour and by maintaining ownership of delivery vehicles, saw a rise in costs. Originality/value Union avoidance is not an explanatory factor in the sourcing decision, nor is it possible to explain through transaction cost economics. Explication for outcomes lies in value enhancement. Companies are willing to incur higher employment relations and transport costs if the result is higher value capture.

scholarly journals Explaining alternative termination modes of international joint ventures

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 1121-1153
Author(s):  
Palitha Konara ◽  
Zita Stone ◽  
Alex Mohr
Keyword(s):  
Transaction Cost ◽  
Environmental Risk ◽  
Transaction Cost Economics ◽  
International Joint Ventures ◽  
People’S Republic Of China ◽  
People's Republic Of China ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Republic Of China ◽  
Related Risk ◽  
International Joint

PurposeThe authors combine options logic with transaction cost economics to explain why firms maintain, divest or buy out their international joint ventures (IJVs). It is suggested that a decline in environmental risk and higher partner-related risk makes a firm more likely to acquire an IJV but less likely to divest an IJV. The study also investigates how IJV age moderates the effects of a decline in environmental risk and higher partner-related risk.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs competing risks analyses to examine the drivers of different termination outcomes using a dataset consisting of 459 IJVs in the People's Republic of China, of which 110 were either acquired or divested by their foreign parent.FindingsThe study finds that changes in environmental risk and partner-related risk affect how firms terminate their IJVs in the People's Republic of China. Specifically, the authors find that the effect of exogenous and endogenous risk are more pronounced for the acquisition of IJVs than for the divestment of IJVs.Research limitations/implicationsThe study contributes to international marketing research by complementing options logic with transaction cost economics to provide a theoretical explanation of the different ways in which IJVs in the People's Republic of China are terminated.Practical implicationsIJVs continue to be an important yet often unstable method to serve international markets. Our findings increase managers' awareness of the effect that two important sources of risk may have on the termination of IJVs in the People's Republic of China.Originality/valueThe study provides novel insights into the effect that changes in exogenous and endogenous risk have on a firm's choice of termination mode drawing on novel data on the different ways in which foreign firms have terminated their IJVs in the Peoples' Republic of China.

A transaction cost approach for public procurement

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aksel I. Rokkan ◽  
Sven A. Haugland
Keyword(s):  
Transaction Cost ◽  
Transaction Cost Economics ◽  
Public Procurement ◽  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
Public Agencies ◽  
Private Companies ◽  
Supplier Relationships ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Market Governance

Purpose This paper aims to develop a theoretical framework based on transaction cost economics that identifies key factors shaping public agencies’ governance of supplier relationships and related performance implications. Design/methodology/approach The paper presents an extended transaction cost framework for research on public procurement (PP) with a corresponding set of propositions. Transaction cost theory and specific features of and challenges to the PP function identified in extant literature constitute the main elements of the framework. Findings This conceptual paper makes three sets of proposals. First, public agencies tend to rely on market governance of supplier relationships and when PP deploys non-market governance, such governance tends to be of a unilateral (vs bilateral) kind. Second, increases in purchasing competence and autonomy of PP and particularly if implemented in tandem, will reduce PP’s overreliance on market governance and increase PP’s use of non-market governance. Third, PP should perform better for less complex transactions – and when contracting complexity relates to safeguarding of specific assets rather than when complexity relates to environmental and behavioral uncertainty. Increases in competence and autonomy should increase PP’s performance, particularly for complex transactions. Practical implications Public agencies may be in a better position to align governance solutions with transaction complexities by developing their procurement competence, decentralizing procurement decisions and increasing the flexibility of national and international procurement regulations. Private companies selling to public agencies need to be aware of and able to adapt to PP practices such as extensive use of market governance and unilateral governance as the primary form of non-market governance. Social implications The paper discusses how public agencies can improve procurement performance through better alignment of governance of supplier relationships with transaction attributes and thereby increase the quality of public services. Originality/value The paper relies on a well-established theoretical perspective, enabling identification (and, potentially, correction) of governance misalignment in the public sector.

A transaction cost economics model for estimating performance effectiveness of relational and contractual governance

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (11) ◽  
pp. 1551-1575 ◽  
Author(s):  
John G. Wacker ◽  
Chenlung Yang ◽  
Chwen Sheu
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Transaction Cost ◽  
Transaction Cost Economics ◽  
Relative Effectiveness ◽  
Asset Specificity ◽  
Governance Mechanisms ◽  
Relational Governance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Contractual Governance ◽  
Supplier Contracts

Purpose As outsourcing continues to grow, supplier management becomes critical to the success of manufacturing firms. Transaction cost economics (TCE) suggests that firms should choose supplier governance mechanisms to ensure fulfillment of contractual obligations and safeguard against opportunism for their outsourcing activities. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to examine how buying organizations govern supplier contracts to improve manufacturing competitiveness and financial performance. The relative effectiveness of two primary governance mechanisms, contractual governance (CG), and relational governance, are examined. Design/methodology/approach Expanding upon previous studies, this study delineates three relational governance mechanisms (negotiation efficiency (NE), problem solving relations, and information sharing (IS)) that are conceptually, statistically and pragmatically different. Based on the TCE literature, a conceptual model is developed to decipher the relationships between pre-contract conditions (supplier asset specificity and environmental uncertainty (EU)), governance mechanisms, performance ambiguity (PA), and performance. Using the data collected from 987 firms, the statistical results present several important findings that would advance current theory and practice in outsourcing. Findings The authors find empirical support for the effects of contractual and relational governance in improving manufacturing and financial performance. The governance of supplier contracts clearly facilitates manufacturers’ ability to leverage their resources to improve performance. The relative effectiveness of these two governance mechanisms is related to the levels of EU and supplier asset specificity. Relational governance displays greater influence on performance than CG does. However, CG appears to be complementary to relational governance. Research limitations/implications The interplays between supplier asset specificity and EU should be examined in the future. The relationships among NE, IS, and problem solving should also be examined to facilitate the development of relational governance. Practical implications Managers should be aware of the situational performance of governance mechanisms. Moreover, it is important to realize how differently each of the three relational governance mechanisms and CG contribute to performance. Originality/value This study extends the academic discussion of supplier governance by investigating the alignment of governance mechanisms (relational governance and CG) with pre-contract conditions to reduce PA and, thereby, enhance manufacturing performance. Under the theoretical framework of TCE, the direct and indirect effects of pre-contract conditions and governance variables are fully examined and discussed. Moreover, relational governance involves multiple mechanisms that are conceptually and pragmatically different, and future studies should not treat it as one single construct.

Developing a framework for the performance evaluation of sorting and grading firms of used clothing

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manoj Kumar Paras ◽  
Daniel Ekwall ◽  
Rudrajeet Pal
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Transaction Cost ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Transaction Cost Economics ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Base Of The Pyramid ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Resource Based View ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThis paper aims to propose a framework for evaluating the performance of reverse value chain activities in the clothing industry operating at base of the pyramid. Specifically, the research explores firm and supply chain factors influencing clothing reverse value chain activities with a focus on developing economies.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted an explorative technique using direct observations and semi-structured interviews to collect information from eight companies and two traders. Internal resources and value chain capabilities were examined using theoretical underpinnings of resource-based view, transaction cost economics and base of the pyramid.FindingsThe paper identified multiple benefits of offshoring reverse value chain activities to the developing countries (at the base of the pyramid). Low operation cost, skilled manpower, business knowledge and location are found to be internal success factors. While favourable government legislation and domestic recycling markets are important external factors contributing to the success. Developing economies such as India contribute to firm performance by integrating, transforming, acquiring and co-creating the resources at base of the pyramid. Further, it was found that to achieve higher assets specificity, a few companies have opened their own shops in African countries, while others have opened sourcing branches in Canada or the USA to ensure good quality of raw materials. Collaboration and coordination among different value chain partners minimise cost and increases profitability. Innovation in the process such as clothes mutilation for recycling has created new business opportunities.Research limitations/implicationsInformation was collected from only eight organisations and two traders from India. Future scholars may extend the research to generalise the findings by documenting similar phenomena.Practical implicationsThe proposed framework can serve a basis for the practitioners to evaluate firm performance, and the insights can be used to achieve sustainability by engaging producers, employees, consumers and community using base of the pyramid approach.Originality/valueThe study provides unique insights into the prevalent export and re-exports phenomena of used clothing. The resource-based view, transaction cost economics and base of the pyramid strategy underpinned together to develop a framework for understanding reverse value chain activities of clothing.

Understanding SME suppliers' response to supply chain finance: a transaction cost economics perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christiaan de Goeij ◽  
Luca Mattia Gelsomino ◽  
Federico Caniato ◽  
Antonella Maria Moretto ◽  
Michiel Steeman
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Transaction Cost ◽  
Transaction Cost Economics ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Minor Role ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supply Chain Finance ◽  
Qualitative Factors

PurposeReverse factoring (RF) is one of the most prevalent supply chain finance (SCF) solutions. This study challenges the view that suppliers accept financially attractive reverse factoring offers (RFOs) and reject financially unattractive ones. Specifically, it focuses on small and medium enterprise (SME) suppliers and how transaction cost economics (TCE) factors affect their decision.Design/methodology/approachThe authors study eight cases of RFOs, interviewing suppliers, buyers and financial service providers (FSPs) and using several sources of private and publicly available secondary data.FindingsIn five out of eight RFOs, suppliers either accepted unattractive offers or rejected attractive ones. Bounded rationality and opportunism seem to explain such misalignment, while asset specificity and frequency play a minor role in decisions.Research limitations/implicationsThe study shows the need for further investigation linking analytical assessment of SCF benefits with qualitative factors.Practical implicationsSME suppliers cannot assume an RFO will benefit them. They must critically evaluate their buyers' offers, ideally with self-awareness towards how the abovementioned factors might affect their decisions. For buyers and banks, this study gives clear insights on how to approach SME suppliers to avoid rejection of financially attractive RFOs.Originality/valueThis contribution analyses financial attractiveness of RFOs in conjunction with qualitative factors, including rejected RFOs and without assuming that RFOs are financially attractive for suppliers. This is original and relevant for both research and practice, since it extends the understanding of the supplier response to RFOs, thanks to the consideration of TCE factors.

A transaction cost explanation of the card-or-cash decision among Vietnamese debit card holders

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 1635-1664
Author(s):  
Dung Phuong Hoang ◽  
Thong Huy Vu
Keyword(s):  
Transaction Costs ◽  
Transaction Cost ◽  
Transaction Cost Economics ◽  
Environmental Uncertainty ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Debit Card ◽  
Willingness To Use ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Debit Cards ◽  
Adaptation Costs

PurposeThis research provides a new perspective in explaining cardholders' willingness to use debit cards instead of cash by applying the transaction costs economic theory. This study also expands the adaptation of transaction cost economics theory in explaining consumer behaviour by investigating the moderating effects of income and education level on the relationship between perceived transaction costs and willingness to use debit cards.Design/methodology/approachThe conceptual framework was developed primarily from the transaction cost economics theory. An in-depth interview method was employed to further support hypothesis development and the development of measurement scales. A structural equation model linking asset specificity, behavioural uncertainty, environmental uncertainty, frequency of payment, perceived monitoring costs, perceived adaptation costs and willingness to use debit cards was tested using data from a sample of 384 Vietnamese debit card holders.FindingsThis study's results support the transaction cost economics theory that asset specificity, uncertainty and frequency of payment all positively contribute to the perceived transaction costs associated with debit card usage. However, only environmental uncertainty and perceived adaptation costs have significant negative impact on willingness to use debit cards, with the relationship between environmental uncertainty and willingness to use debit cards being totally mediated by perceived adaptation costs. Moreover, the relationship between perceived adaptation costs and willingness to use debit cards becomes less negative among richer and better-educated cardholders.Practical implicationsThe research provides insights into the hidden obstacles for developing cashless economies, thereby supporting policy makers in designing more effective and comprehensive strategies to make debit cards more widely used as a true substitute for cash.Originality/valueThis study provides a new lens in explaining customer willingness to use debit cards, while expanding the transaction costs economics theory by incorporating demographic factors as moderators in the relationship between transaction costs and the card-or-cash choice.

Influence of cooperative period of municipal PPPs on transaction cost – a case study

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fangfang Liu ◽  
Yousong Wang ◽  
Hongyang Li ◽  
Xiaowei Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Prospect Theory ◽  
Transaction Cost ◽  
Real Option ◽  
Transaction Cost Economics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Investment Projects ◽  
Real Option Theory ◽  
Option Theory ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThe purpose of the study is to numerically investigate the relationship between the increase in transaction cost and prolongation of cooperative period acting as a nonmonetary incentive for municipal PPP projects.Design/methodology/approachA model that combines real option theory and the concept of prospect theory is proposed in the study. Three municipal road PPP projects published by China Public Private Partnerships Center are selected as cases. The data of these cases are analyzed based on the model established.FindingsThe prolongation of the cooperative period affects the increase in transaction cost, which gradually decreases when the prolonged cooperative period increases. Furthermore, the large-investment PPP projects own more transaction cost compared with less-investment projects. The decrease in transaction cost in the former is less than that in the latter. The increase in transaction cost is evidently alleviated in a project with less investment when the cooperative period is prolonged further.Originality/valueThe study systematically analyzes the relationship among transaction cost economics, real option theory and prospect theory and proposes a theoretical flowchart of the effect of nonmonetary incentive on the transaction cost. A model to quantify the effect of nonmonetary incentive (i.e. prolongation of cooperative period) on the transaction cost is proposed for the first time. The results of the study verify that the nonmonetary incentive affects transaction cost.

Using transaction cost economics to explain open innovation in start-ups

2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (9) ◽  
pp. 2133-2156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching-Tang Hsieh ◽  
Hao-Chen Huang ◽  
Wei-Long Lee
Keyword(s):  
Transaction Cost ◽  
Open Innovation ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Transaction Cost Economics ◽  
Measurement Model ◽  
Asset Specificity ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Start Ups

Purpose The basic concept of transaction cost theory is that firms like to conduct transactions in a channel with lower transaction costs. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to use the transaction cost perspective to identify which conditions cause companies to choose between outbound open innovation (hierarchy governance) and inbound open innovation (market governance). Design/methodology/approach Accordingly, transaction cost economics was used to relate the choice and implementation of open innovation using a sample of 250 electronics and information start-ups in China. Structural equation modeling was used to conduct confirmatory factor analysis to evaluate measurement model, while logistic regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses. Findings As expected, the dedicated asset specificity, human asset specificity, behavioral uncertainty, transaction frequency, and small number exchange were positively associated with outbound open innovation. Originality/value The contribution of this paper lies in explaining the role played by transaction cost economics in the process of open innovation for start-ups through empirical analysis.

Transaction costs incurred by construction owners

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 444-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huimin Li ◽  
David Arditi ◽  
Zhuofu Wang
Keyword(s):  
Transaction Costs ◽  
Transaction Cost ◽  
Transaction Cost Economics ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Construction Project ◽  
The Body ◽  
Unit Price ◽  
Project Delivery ◽  
Risk Allocation ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – Transaction costs arise from economic exchange rather than production activities. However, the term “transaction cost” is not consistently defined in the construction industry because the concept of transaction cost is not universally accepted by all stakeholders in construction projects. As a result, empirical studies are few and conflicting because accessing data on transaction costs is problematic, and the interpretation of the data is difficult. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the transaction costs borne by the owner in a construction project from the perspective of transaction cost economics and construction project characteristics. Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire survey was administered to construction owners. The factors that impact transaction costs were analyzed in the context of human-related issues (the owner's and the contractor's positions in the transaction), and environment-related issues (the transaction environment, and project management efficiency). Statistical analyses were conducted to compare the transaction costs incurred in the pre- vs post-contract phases of a project relative to the private vs public sector, different project delivery systems, different procurement methods, and different types of contracts. Findings – The owners surveyed believe that transaction costs may be reduced if the owner and the contractor follow some basic guidelines (e.g. experience in similar projects, prompt payment, good relationship with project participants, no irregularities in bidding, and only few material substitutions and claims), if the project is well-run (e.g. technical competency, strong leadership, prompt decision-making, effective communication, and fair/speedy conflict management), and if the transaction environment is favorable (e.g. fair risk allocation, early contractor involvement, and complete design documents). The findings of the survey also indicate that post-contract transaction costs are much higher than pre-contract transaction costs expressed as percent of project value and that transaction costs are affected by the owner (public vs private), the procurement method, the project delivery system, and the type of contract. Originality/value – The primary contribution that this research makes to the body of knowledge is a better understanding of transaction costs incurred by construction owners in the USA. The highest transaction costs are to be expected in the post-contract phase of public projects awarded on a unit price basis, but can be reduced, hence reducing overall project cost.

scholarly journals Industry 4.0 technologies in the purchasing process

2020 ◽  
Vol 120 (4) ◽  
pp. 730-748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Gottge ◽  
Torben Menzel ◽  
Helena Forslund
Keyword(s):  
Transaction Cost ◽  
Information Search ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Transaction Cost Economics ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Purchasing Process

PurposeThe aim of the study is to explore the possible practical impact of big data/business intelligence and Internet of Things on the purchasing process of premium automotive manufacturers, and to evaluate its theoretical impact with a transaction cost economics approach.Design/methodology/approachAn exploratory multiple-case study was carried out, using qualitative content analysis and cross-case synthesis.FindingsCollaborative platforms and a new purchaser role were found to impact the entire process. In the strategic purchasing 4.0 process, co-creation of specifications, automated prequalification, and parameter-based negotiations are some expected changes. The operative purchasing 4.0 process is shaped by, for example, interactive call-offs. Transaction cost is expected to decrease by reduced uncertainty and supplier specificity, as well as by lowered information search, negotiation, and monitoring costs.Research limitations/implicationsThe description of a potential purchasing 4.0 process for premium automotive manufacturers is given.Practical implicationsPremium automotive manufacturers can develop strategies to push the existing standards of purchasing. Suppliers can create scenarios to allow for future compliance at the purchasing–sales interface.Social implicationsNew technologies' effects on the workforce are considered.Originality/valueNo identified study focused on the impact of Industry 4.0 technologies on the purchasing process of premium automotive manufacturers.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document