• Knowledge Management Research
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.65-89
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• 2012

Recognizing the significance of inter-firm cooperation for firm's sustainable competitive advantage in today's business environment, this study investigates the effects of inter-firm cooperation and knowledge sharing on firm competitiveness based on 327 Korean small and medium sized enterprises. We also examines a mediating effects of knowledge sharing on the relationship between inter-firm cooperation and firm competitiveness and moderating effects of environmental factors on this relationship. The environmental factors are conceptualized by intensity of market competition and technological change. The main findings of the study are as follows: First, the paper found that inter-firm cooperation was positively associated with firm competitiveness while there was also a positive relationship between knowledge sharing and firm competitiveness. Second, it also shows that knowledge sharing partially mediated the relationship of inter-firm cooperation and firm competitiveness. Third, we also found that technological change had negative moderating effects on the relationship between inter-firm cooperation and firm competitiveness. This study suggests that understanding of inter-firm cooperation with consideration of environmental characteristics are required for better firm competitiveness.

• Journal of Technology Innovation
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.151-183
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• 2004

This paper investigates the evolution of 'inter-firm' technology transfer in the Thai automobile industry, which has gradually been integrated into global production network of some specific automotive models(one-ton pickups). This paper discusses the linkage between the role of automobile assemblers in transferring technology and the way their strategic changes bring about heightened demands on the technological capacity of suppliers and the contents of technology transfer. With higher competition at the global level, local suppliers are required to improve their technical and managerial skills, especially in the area of 'product engineering' capability. The authors examine the ways local firms have adapted to these changes in their environments, as well as the ways they utilize inter-firm relationship with automobile assemblers as a means to improve their own technological capabilities. The dynamic process of capability formation in local parts firms, through intensive efforts and learning inducements brought about by inter-firm relationships, are also discussed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Navigation and Port Research Conference
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• 2004.04a
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• pp.321-332
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• 2004

The purpose of this research is to introduce the concept of "relationship formation factors" in inter-firm relations and to empirically demonstrate that they are effective in improving the relationship results by means of anmediating variable. Therefore, the basic model of this study consists of the independent, mediating, and dependent variables. First, the independent variable, that is, the relationship formation factors, is further classified into three components： transactional, relational, environmental characteristics. Then, the study empirically examines how each of the three components influences the dependent variable, that is, the business performance(Load Factor), by way of the mediating variables, that is, trust and relationship commitment.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.373-384
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• 2004

The purpose of this research is to introduce the concept of "relationship formation factors" in inter-firm relations and to empirically demonstrate that they are effective in improving the relationship results by means of an mediating variable. Therefore, the basic model of this study consists of the independent, mediating, and dependent variables. First, the independent variables, that is, the relationship formation factors, are further classified into three components. transactional, relational, and environmental characteristics. Then, the study empirically examines how each of the three components influences the dependent variable. that is, the business performance(Load Factor), by way of the mediating variables, that is, trust and relationship commitment.

• Korean Management Science Review
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.87-98
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• 2010

In this paper, we drew upon IMP group's Interaction model to investigate the contributing impact of Inter-organizational system (IOS) on performance through enhancing inter-organizational relationship. While most extant literature studied the contribution of IOS from transaction efficiency perspective, the relational aspect of IOS contribution on the supply chain was addressed only by a few researches. As such, we intended to fill this gap of the IOS research stream. The conceptual model was developed, with reference to process theory, to analyze how the relational perspective could be applicable to IOS impact on performance. With the 129 sample data collected at the firm level,structural equation model using the LISREL was employed to validate the proposed research model. The empirical results supported the hypotheses such as the extent of IOS usage positively influences the interaction between the firms, which thereby enhances the extent of inter-firm partnership and performance. The results help better understanding the strategic use of IOS from relationship perspective.

• The Journal of Information Systems
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.97-116
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• 2015

Purpose This study suggested the four forms of inter-organizational relationships(IORs): partnerships, inter-dependence relationship, trust relationship, and market relationship. The purposes of this study include the demonstration of four forms of IORs and the investigation of the relationships among forms of IORs, inter-organizational information flow(IOIF), kinds of e-commerce strategies, and the supply-chain performance of a firm. Design/methodology/approach The empirical data were collected through post-survey. 92 survey data were collected. With a cluster analysis, we confirmed four types of IORs, and the relationships among critical variables. Findings The results of cluster analysis showed that according to the types of IORs, the frequency and quality of IOIF are different. Appropriate kinds of e-commerce strategies were examined under the each types of IORs, which cause specific patterns of IOIF. It was found that the adoption of e-procurement strategy can improve the supply-chain performance of a firm in trust relationship. It was also observed that under partnerships, the use of e-partnerships strategy can contribute to the improvement of supply-chain performance.

• The Journal of Information Systems
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.27-44
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• 2015

Supply chain management (SCM) aims to provide the coordination and execution of planning and decision-making in multi organization-wide production and distribution. The advancement of information technology and the globalization of market promote SCM integration. Information sharing has become a major driver of competitive advantage in SCM. In this research, we aim to analyze the influence of SCM integration on firm performance and the role of information sharing between SCM integration and firm performance. Of the 750 questionnaires posted, a total of 218 questionnaires were collected after one follow-up. A total of 199 questionnaires were analyzed after 19 questionnaires were eliminated due to largely missing values. We used structural equation modeling technique to validate the causal relationship between SCM integration, information sharing, and firm performance. The results suggest that improved SCM integration both within the focal company (intra-organization) and across companies (inter-organization) enhances firm performance positively. Information sharing acts as a mediator between the SCM integration and the firm performance. Intra-organization SCM integration is positively related to inter-organization SCM integration, namely, SCM integration with suppliers and customers. The results suggest that internal integration of SCM significantly influences external integration with customers and suppliers. The result also shows that supply chain integration has a positive influence on firm performance and information sharing positively impacts firm performance as well.

• Asian Journal of Innovation and Policy
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.71-91
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to identify the major determinants of performance of the R&D alliances, with an aim toward raising the success rate in cooperative relationships. In particular, this study assesses whether the success factors of purchasing relationship identified in the literature apply equally to SMEs in Korea. The results of this study indicate that inter-firm cooperation, experienced cooperation, and efficiency of government support have positive impacts on the purchase rate of new products. On the other hand, R&D intensity and resources of competencies of the firm do not influence it. Additionally, market attractiveness does not moderate the effects of the five independent variables on the purchase. The extracted determinants according to the results of surveys give valuable and practical hints to the SMEs when they make a decision on their R&D alliances with large enterprises.

• Knowledge Management Research
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.95-109
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• 2012

Changing customer expectation, global competition, and technological requirements force firms to develop agile supply chain capabilities sustaining competitive advantage and business success. To respond, firms are seeking to enhance supply chain agility across the inter-organizational, this study explores the relationship between supply chain competence and supply chain agility on firm performance. The research reviews literature on supply chain capability and classifies capability into two categories as competence and capability based on resource based view and dynamic capabilities. It describes a framework to explore the relationships among supply chain competence (IT flexibility, supply chain flexibility, shared value), supply chain capability (supply chain agility), and firm performance (supply chain performance). The purpose of this study is to find the determinants of supply chain agility and improving firm performance in the perspective of vendor companies. The results indicate strong, positive, and direct relationships between supply chain competence and supply chain agility. Supply chain agility have significant relationships with firm performance. Implication for future research and practice are offered.

• Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.320-342
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• 2011

This paper tries to analyze the evolution of technological innovative pattern in system semiconductor industry from the perspective of the evolution of way by which knowledge is generated and its related evolution of inter-firm relationships. In particular, this paper focuses on the evolution of knowledge after the emergence of EDA as a design tool, as a main momentum. As a result of analysis, we can find out following things. First, the innovative activities have evolved from design activity-centered technology development to innovative activities focusing on searching activities for utilizing knowledge and technology. Second, with rising value of knowledge, creation of new market utilizing knowledge, and development of new industry and new technology through inter-firm relationship had been made, in addition to strengthened specialized technological division of labor. Third, with focusing on utilization of knowledge, inter-firm network has taken diverse forms for building complementary platform for co-development. This discussion can give an insight on the necessity of utilizing inter-firm network strategically and setting strategies for enhanced searching activities such as market creation and knowledge utilization.