Experimental study design modules for each manipulation factor
| Base module | |
| Company A is one of the largest battery manufacturers in the world. Amongst the main raw materials used by company A is lithium, a metal that composes smartphones’ batteries. Company A buys lithium from company B, which ships the material from Africa Imagine that you are the purchasing manager at Company A, responsible for buying lithium from Company B | |
| First manipulation factor: Type of issue | |
| Documentation irregularities | Recently, Company B was prevented from landing the lithium at the port due to irregularities in the ship’s documentation. Company B’s manager got in contact with you, as Company A’s purchasing manager, to let you know about the delay in delivery and tell you how they are dealing with the problem |
| Modern slavery | Recently, company B was forced to stop lithium production because it was discovered that it used slave labour in its lithium mines. Company B’s manager got in contact with you, as Company A’s purchasing manager, to let you know about the delay in delivery and tell you how they are dealing with the problem |
| Second manipulation factor: Dependency on supplier | |
| Not dependent | Company A and Company B have never signed any type of exclusivity contract, and Company B is one of many suppliers Company A can buy lithium from. If Company B’s shipment problem is not solved, Company A can buy lithium from another supplier. In this case, no significant impact on Company A’s profits is expected |
| Dependent | Company A and Company B have signed a long-term exclusivity contract, and Company B is the only supplier Company A can buy lithium from. If Company B’s shipment problem is not solved, Company A cannot produce one single battery. In this case, a significantly negative impact on Company A’s profits is expected |
| Third manipulation factor: Informal network solution | |
| No informal network | Company B’s managers told you they are trying to sort the issue out with the local authorities. Company B’s managers also explained that they are gathering all necessary documentation and working with inspection organisms to try to minimise the delay |
| Chinese guanxi | Company B’s managers told you they got in contact with Mr. X, who happened to be a supreme court judge, and asked for help. Company B’s managers also explained that they had already helped Mr. X several times in the past, and that they had a relationship of mutual trust and support. Accordingly, Mr. X was expected to help |
| Brazilian jeitinho | Company B’s managers told you they got in contact with Mr. X, who happened to be a supreme court judge, and asked for help. Company B’s managers also explained that Mr. X was a close friend, and, although he could not intervene directly, he could find a way to provisionally solve the problem. Accordingly, Mr. X was expected to help |
| Russian blat | Company B’s managers told you they got in contact with Mr. X, who happened to be a supreme court judge, and asked for help. Company B’s managers also explained that Mr. X was an old acquaintance of him, with whom he usually exchanges goods and favours. Accordingly, Mr. X was expected to help |
| South Korean yongo | Company B’s managers told you they got in contact with Mr. X, who happened to be a supreme court judge, and asked for help. Company B’s managers also explained that they and Mr. X studied in the same school, and were also from the same hometown. Accordingly, Mr. X was expected to help |
| Company A is one of the largest battery manufacturers in the world. Amongst the main raw materials used by company A is lithium, a metal that composes smartphones’ batteries. Company A buys lithium from company B, which ships the material from Africa | |
| Documentation irregularities | Recently, Company B was prevented from landing the lithium at the port due to irregularities in the ship’s documentation. Company B’s manager got in contact with you, as Company A’s purchasing manager, to let you know about the delay in delivery and tell you how they are dealing with the problem |
| Modern slavery | Recently, company B was forced to stop lithium production because it was discovered that it used slave labour in its lithium mines. Company B’s manager got in contact with you, as Company A’s purchasing manager, to let you know about the delay in delivery and tell you how they are dealing with the problem |
| Not dependent | Company A and Company B have never signed any type of exclusivity contract, and Company B is one of many suppliers Company A can buy lithium from. If Company B’s shipment problem is not solved, Company A can buy lithium from another supplier. In this case, no significant impact on Company A’s profits is expected |
| Dependent | Company A and Company B have signed a long-term exclusivity contract, and Company B is the only supplier Company A can buy lithium from. If Company B’s shipment problem is not solved, Company A cannot produce one single battery. In this case, a significantly negative impact on Company A’s profits is expected |
| No informal network | Company B’s managers told you they are trying to sort the issue out with the local authorities. Company B’s managers also explained that they are gathering all necessary documentation and working with inspection organisms to try to minimise the delay |
| Chinese | Company B’s managers told you they got in contact with Mr. X, who happened to be a supreme court judge, and asked for help. Company B’s managers also explained that they had already helped Mr. X several times in the past, and that they had a relationship of mutual trust and support. Accordingly, Mr. X was expected to help |
| Brazilian | Company B’s managers told you they got in contact with Mr. X, who happened to be a supreme court judge, and asked for help. Company B’s managers also explained that Mr. X was a close friend, and, although he could not intervene directly, he could find a way to provisionally solve the problem. Accordingly, Mr. X was expected to help |
| Russian | Company B’s managers told you they got in contact with Mr. X, who happened to be a supreme court judge, and asked for help. Company B’s managers also explained that Mr. X was an old acquaintance of him, with whom he usually exchanges goods and favours. Accordingly, Mr. X was expected to help |
| South Korean | Company B’s managers told you they got in contact with Mr. X, who happened to be a supreme court judge, and asked for help. Company B’s managers also explained that they and Mr. X studied in the same school, and were also from the same hometown. Accordingly, Mr. X was expected to help |
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