Table I

Research on socialization in OSCM

Organizational context and dataOrganizational relationships focusAssessed concept relationshipsMain findings
Cousins et al. (2006) BSRs in manufacturing context; internet-based survey of 111 UK manufacturing firms in various industriesFormal and Informal socialization mechanisms; Relational capital (degree of mutual respect, trust, close interaction)How formal and informal socialization mechanisms facilitate relational capital and further facilitate supplier relationship outcome (e.g. improved design, increased sales)?Formal socialization mechanisms do not lead to relational capital as such but potentially facilitate informal mechanisms, and this mix facilitates relational capital. The results, however, are suggested to be potentially context-specific. Relational capital facilitates improved supplier relationship outcomes
Cousins et al. (2008) BSRs in manufacturing and service contexts; internet-based survey of 142 UK firms in various industriesSocialization mechanisms (Joint workshops, Regular supplier conferences, Cross-functional teams, matrix-style reporting structure)How communication performance measures and operational performance measures facilitate socialization mechanisms and further business performance?Socialization mechanism fully mediate the relationship between supplier performance measures and business performance
Cousins and Menguc (2006) BSRs in manufacturing and services contexts; internet-based survey of 142 UK firms in various industriesSocialization (joint social events and workshops, team building, on-site visits, regular supplier conferences); Integration in areas of scheduling, order management, forecasting and operation planningHow do SC socialization and integration affect supplier’s operational performance (e.g. lead time, delivery to schedule) and supplier communication performance (e.g. information exchange quality) and the relationship of supplier’s performance on buyer’s perceived level of supplier performance?Supplier socialization and integration are associated with supplier’s communication performance and socialization with supplier’s operational performance. Both supplier communication and operational performance facilitate buyer’s perception of contractual performance
Lawson et al. (2009) BSR in product development teams in manufacturing context; internet-based survey of 128 UK firms in various industriesFormal socialization mechanisms (Cross-functional teams, matrix structures, formal project structure); Information socialization mechanisms (Communication guidelines, awareness of supplier issues, social events)How do informal and formal socialization mechanisms facilitate knowledge sharing (KS); what is KS’s relationship with supplier development outcomes, further to buyer development performance and finally financial performance?Informal socialization mechanisms are most important in facilitating KS, formal socialization mechanisms facilitate informal socialization mechanisms. KS is related to improved supplier development outcomes, further on to buyer development outcomes, and finally financial performance
Lawson et al. (2008) BSRs in manufacturing context; internet-based survey of 111 UK manufacturing firms in various industriesSupplier integration and Relational capital (trust, personal interaction, respect)How do supplier integration and supplier closeness facilitate relational capital; How does relational capital and structural embeddedness facilitate buyer performance improvement?Supplier integration and closeness facilitate relational capital. Relational capital as well as structural embeddedness in terms of managerial communication and technical exchange facilitate buyer performance improvement
van de Vijver et al. (2011) BSRs; Longitudinal case study on 2 supplier relationships of a high-tech manufacturer How does socialization affect communication quality?Past conflicts can diminish the positive effect of socialization on communication quality; if the value of the relationship is questioned, socialization may not facilitate improved communication

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