ABSTRACT

This study draws on the tenets of transaction cost economics to examine the moderating effect of supply chain complexity on the relationship between formal control and social control mechanisms, and operational performance. The study argues that under conditions of increased supply chain complexity, the effect of formal control mechanism on operational performance is weakened while the effect of social control mechanism on operational performance is strengthened. These propositions are tested on a sample of 331 firms in a sub-Saharan Africa market, Ghana. Findings from the study show that at higher levels of supply chain complexity, formal control and social control have negative and positive effects on operational performance, respectively. These findings provide nuanced perspectives on how the performance consequences of formal and social controls vary under the same organizational circumstance. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.

摘要

本研究借鉴交易成本经济学的原则，检验供应链复杂性对正式控制和社会控制机制以及运营绩效之间关系的调节作用。研究认为，在供应链复杂性增加的条件下，正式控制机制对运营绩效的影响减弱，而社会控制机制对运营绩效的影响增强。这些命题在加纳撒哈拉以南非洲市场的 331 家公司样本中进行了测试。研究结果表明，在供应链复杂性较高的情况下，正式控制和社会控制分别对运营绩效产生负面和正面影响。这些发现提供了关于在相同组织环境下正式控制和社会控制的绩效后果如何变化的微妙观点。理论和管理影响进行了讨论。