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Integrating Theories of Strategic Leadership, Social Exchange, and Structural Capital in the Context of Buyer–Supplier Relationship: An Empirical Study

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Abstract

This study is aimed at improving the purchasing cycle time in a buyer–supplier relationship by integrating the facets of strategic leadership, social exchange, and social capital theories. We developed and tested a conceptual model that postulated relationships among strategic leadership behavior, relational trust and commitment, structural capital, and purchasing cycle time. Data were collected from purchase managers and their employees working in 105 manufacturing companies and analyzed using structural equation modeling technique. Our findings indicated that strategic leadership behaviors are positively related to trust in the buyer–supplier relationship. In addition, trust enhances relational commitment between buyer and supplier, which in turn positively relates to information sharing and supplier development. Further, increased information sharing in the relationship results in reduced purchasing cycle time. Implications for both theory and practice are discussed in depth, and directions for future research are suggested.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Institutional Support for Research and Creativity (ISRC) Grant 2014 given by New York Institute of Technology, New York.

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  1. New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY, United States

    M. Birasnav & Rakesh Mittal

  2. Shri Govindram Seksaria Institute of Technology and Science, Indore, 452 003, India

    Avadhesh Dalpati

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  1. M. Birasnav
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  2. Rakesh Mittal
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Birasnav, M., Mittal, R. & Dalpati, A. Integrating Theories of Strategic Leadership, Social Exchange, and Structural Capital in the Context of Buyer–Supplier Relationship: An Empirical Study. Glob J Flex Syst Manag 20, 219–236 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40171-019-00211-y

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