• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.29-41
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• 2012

This paper undertakes a conceptual review of transaction cost to broaden the understanding of the transaction cost analysis (TCA) approach. More than 40 years have passed since Coase's fundamental insight that transaction, coordination, and contracting costs must be considered explicitly in explaining the extent of vertical integration. Coase (1937) forced economists to identify previously neglected constraints on the trading process to foster efficient intrafirm, rather than interfirm, transactions. The transaction cost approach to economic organization study regards transactions as the basic units of analysis and holds that understanding transaction cost economy is central to organizational study. The approach applies to determining efficient boundaries, as between firms and markets, and to internal transaction organization, including employment relations design. TCA, developed principally by Oliver Williamson (1975,1979,1981a) blends institutional economics, organizational theory, and contract law. Further progress in transaction costs research awaits the identification of critical dimensions in which transaction costs differ and an examination of the economizing properties of alternative institutional modes for organizing transactions. The crucial investment distinction is: To what degree are transaction-specific (non-marketable) expenses incurred? Unspecialized items pose few hazards, since buyers can turn toalternative sources, and suppliers can sell output intended for one order to other buyers. Non-marketability problems arise when specific parties' identities have important cost-bearing consequences. Transactions of this kind are labeled idiosyncratic. The summarized results of the review are as follows. First, firms' distribution decisions often prompt examination of the make-or-buy question: Should a marketing activity be performed within the organization by company employees or contracted to an external agent? Second, manufacturers introducing an industrial product to a foreign market face a difficult decision. Should the product be marketed primarily by captive agents (the company sales force and distribution division) or independent intermediaries (outside sales agents and distribution)? Third, the authors develop a theoretical extension to the basic transaction cost model by combining insights from various theories with the TCA approach. Fourth, other such extensions are likely required for the general model to be applied to different channel situations. It is naive to assume the basic model appliesacross markedly different channel contexts without modifications and extensions. Although this study contributes to scholastic research, it is limited by several factors. First, the theoretical perspective of TCA has attracted considerable recent interest in the area of marketing channels. The analysis aims to match the properties of efficient governance structures with the attributes of the transaction. Second, empirical evidence about TCA's basic propositions is sketchy. Apart from Anderson's (1985) study of the vertical integration of the selling function and John's (1984) study of opportunism by franchised dealers, virtually no marketing studies involving the constructs implicated in the analysis have been reported. We hope, therefore, that further research will clarify distinctions between the different aspects of specific assets. Another important line of future research is the integration of efficiency-oriented TCA with organizational approaches that emphasize specific assets' conceptual definition and industry structure. Finally, research of transaction costs, uncertainty, opportunism, and switching costs is critical to future study.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.9 no.10
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• pp.265-275
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• 2022

In the current fast-growing market economy, the accounting-outsourcing trend of small and medium-sized enterprises is on the increase. Studies from both foreign and domestic sources have shown that many factors influence this decision. However, each country has different economic and political characteristics, so these factors and their degree of impact on accounting outsourcing also vary. This study aimed to determine the factors affecting the decision to outsource accounting activities of small and medium transport enterprises in Vietnam. A survey of 384 transport SMEs was conducted using the convenience sampling method. A personal interview with owners/managers/CFOs in 3 major cities of Vietnam based on a research review was conducted. The model examines the influence of many independent variables on accounting outsourcing. The multilinear regression analysis shows that the higher the Assets Specificity, the lower the degree of accounting outsourcing. In addition, the degree of outsourcing is positively and significantly related to frequency and trust in accountants. Besides, when we include control variables such as gender, administrative level, firm size, company age, education, and experience into the model. The results show that small and medium enterprises with limited resources should switch from the traditional internal accounting method to a professional accountant with external knowledge. Based on this study, the author proposes several implications for the accounting outsourcing of small and medium-sized transport enterprises in Vietnam to be more effective. Finally, this study also contributes to the basic knowledge of accounting outsourcing.