The impact of socialization mechanisms and technological innovation capabilities on partnership quality and supply chain integration

The aim of this study is to contribute to the advent of supply chain management research from social exchange theory and resource-based view and shed light on whether socio-technical factors affect a firm’s ability to enhance partnership quality and increase the level of supply chain integration. This study develops a research model to examine the impact of socialization mechanisms (e.g., knowledge sharing and communication quality) and technological innovation capabilities on supply chain integration, directly or indirectly through an increase on partnership quality (partner trust and partner commitment). The research model is empirically tested with data obtained through a field survey involving a sample of 179 large Taiwanese manufacturing firms. The results support the theorized relationships indicating that the level of partnership quality and supply chain integration is positively influenced by socialization mechanisms and technological innovation capabilities. For both socialization and technological innovation constructs, partnership quality partially mediates the relationship with supply chain integration. Theoretical and managerial implications of the research findings for industrial managers are discussed.