The impact of supply chain relationship quality on knowledge sharing and innovation performance: evidence from Chinese manufacturing industry

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to investigate the impact mechanism of supply chain relationship quality on knowledge sharing and firms’ innovation performance during supply chain collaborative innovation. Design/methodology/approach A conceptual model linking supply chain relationship quality, knowledge sharing and firms’ innovation performance is developed, and the hypotheses of the relationships among them are proposed. To test these hypotheses with structural equation modeling, this study conducts a survey of 287 Chinese manufacturing firms that carried out collaborative innovation with supply chain partners. Findings Supply chain relationship quality has a significant positive effect on tacit knowledge sharing but its positive effect on explicit knowledge sharing is not significant. Both explicit and tacit knowledge sharing across supply chain enterprises positively influence firms’ innovation performance. Supply chain relationship quality influences firms’ innovation performance directly as well as indirectly through the mediating roles of explicit and tacit knowledge sharing. Originality/value This study provides empirical evidence of supply chain relationship quality’s direct and indirect effects through explicit and tacit knowledge sharing on firms’ innovation performance. This study also provides supply chain practitioners with better understanding of the importance of developing relationship quality and knowledge sharing across supply chain as they are positively associated with firms’ innovation performance.

The linkages among supplier relationship, customer relationship and supply performance

“…Thus, H4a , H4b , H4c and H4d were supported. Integrated SR and CR affected SP similar to Li (2020), Mesic et al (2018), Gulati and Sytch (2007), Ryu et al (2009), Sengupta et al (2006), Lummus et al (2008), Mason et al (2007), Lee et al (2007) and Petersen et al (2005b). This was because successful SCM needs integration among all members in supply chains (Ralston et al , 2017; Cao and Zhang, 2011; Bagchi and Skjoett-Larsen, 2005; Liker and Choi, 2004).…”

“…Ryu et al (2009) investigated the effect of customer–supplier relationships on supply chain performance and found significant impact. Recently, Li (2020) found that supply chain relationship quality has a significant positive effect on tacit knowledge sharing and innovation performance. Mesic et al (2018) reported that relationship quality has a significant influence on perceived supply chain performance of traditional food supply chains.…”

The Effect of Relational Capital on Organizational Performance in Supply Chain: The Mediating Role of Explicit and Tacit Knowledge Sharing

“…[42]. Explicit and tacit knowledge sharing among enterprises play key roles for the improvement of performance in the supply chain [32]. According to the above analysis, the following hypotheses are proposed: Hypothesis 4 (H4).…”

“…This is contrary to most previous studies. From the perspective of supply chain, supply chain is a whole composed of multiple stakeholder enterprises, and the relationship quality among enterprises affects the sustainable organization performance in the supply chain [32]. Wu et al [34], Sambasivan et al [36], and Zhao et al [74] indicate relational capital is an important influence factor of organizational performance.…”

“…In addition, organizational trust can promote explicit and tacit knowledge sharing [30], and the establishment of relational capital also creates a good cooperative environment for knowledge sharing [31]. Supply chain relationship quality has an important impact on explicit and tacit knowledge sharing [32]. Thus, relational capital affects knowledge sharing and organizational performance, respectively.…”