 Asset specificity and relationship performance: A meta-analysis over three decadesEmanuela Delbufalo Journal of Business Research, 2021, vol. 134, issue C, 105-121 Abstract: In buyer-supplier relationships firms may find it convenient or economical to unilaterally invest in high levels of assets exclusively dedicated to a specific transaction. While they can be associated with potential benefits, such investments dedicated to a specific relationship incorporate risks as their utility and value are tied to the relationship continuation. This study investigates the direct effects of high asset specificity on relationship performance by focusing on the theoretical tensions between Transaction Cost Economics (TCE) and Relational Exchange Theory (RET). A meta- analysis of 33 articles is adopted to investigate the empirical literature on the topic. The results show a positive effect of high asset specificity on relationship performance. However, by unveiling some inconsistencies in the empirical literature, this study also proposes a possible reconciliation of TCE and RET perspectives, with the intention of depicting a more comprehensive view of the phenomenon. Keywords: Asset specificity; Relationship performance; Meta-analysis; Transaction cost economics; Relational exchange theory (search for similar items in EconPapers) Downloads: (external link) Related works: Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:134:y:2021:i:c:p:105-121 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.05.015 Access Statistics for this article Journal of Business Research is currently edited by A. G. Woodside More articles in Journal of Business Research from Elsevier |
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