Trust over time in exchange relationships: Meta‐analysis and theory

A common premise in prior research is that trust increases over time in relationships. Through a meta‐analysis of 39 studies, we find that the bivariate correlation between trust and relationship duration (1) is on average positive and small, and (2) varies significantly across studies indicating the presence of unobserved moderators. We therefore build a theoretical framework to specify four different mechanisms—initial bias correction, change in relationship value, identification, and trust‐based selection—that may affect the development of trust. We then argue that the relative strength of these mechanisms should influence whether trust increases, remains constant, or decreases over time. © 2013 The Authors. Strategic Management Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.     

The roles of land tenure reforms and land markets in the context of population growth and land use intensification in Africa

This article reviews the past and potential future roles of land tenure reforms and land markets in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) as responses to population growth in the process of land use intensification and livelihood transformation. The farm size distribution and the existence of an inverse relationship (IR) between farm size and land productivity in SSA and the implications of this relationship for efficiency and equity are investigated. More secure property rights and removal of restrictions on land markets have the potential to create both efficiency and equity benefits, but there are high risks of elite capture of large land areas with inefficient and inequitable outcomes. This situation is the case not only in land-abundant areas but also in urban and peri-urban areas where increasingly larger proportions of people will make their living. Increasing population pressure in densely populated rural areas contributes to more rapid rural–urban migration, and creating alternative livelihood opportunities for the migrating youth population is essential to achieving economic development with social stability.     

Transaction services and SME internationalization: The effect of home and host country bank relationships on international investment and growth

Building on the argument put forward by North and Wallis (1994) that the transaction sector enables economic growth by lowering the costs of transacting, we investigate how internationalizing firms’ host and home country bank relationships affect their international specific investments and growth. Banks provide payment, liquidity, and risk management services, which are essential to international business relationships, yet little is known about how banks affect international business relationships. In a sample of 255 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), we find that host and home country bank relationships affect the dependent variables differently. We contribute to the literature by explicating the role and effects of banks in international business relationships. Our findings have implications for understanding transaction services in international business as well as the choices made by their customers.     

Validity and Reliability of Satisfaction as a Mediator between Quality Constructs in Manufacturer–Supplier Relationships Through Time and Across Contexts

Purpose: The main objective is to test and assess a research model through time and across contexts in which satisfaction is a mediator between quality constructs in manufacturer–supplier relationships. Satisfaction is positioned as a mediator between trust and commitment (i.e., causes) on the one hand, and cooperation, coordination and continuity expectancy (i.e., outcomes) on the other. The objective is also to provide a substantiation and contribution through time and across contexts, to business theory of supplier-manufacturer relationships

Methodology/approach: One out of eight samples selected for additional empirical substantiation for this study comprises a total of 600 small and medium-sized Spanish enterprises from various industrial sectors. A total of 259 usable questionnaires were returned, generating a response rate of 43.2%. The study is positioned (and compared) in relation to seven other samples that have been tested within the same research model in Canada, Finland, Norway (twice), South Africa, Sweden, and Taiwan. The total number of useable questionnaires is 1641, the average number of useable questionnaires per study is 205 and the average response rate is 37.4% in the studies assessed of this article.

Findings: The research model tested and assessed in the eight studies meets the requirements for satisfactory convergent, discriminant and nomological validity, as well as for construct reliability. The measurement and structural metrics support validity and reliability over time and across contexts, which is rare in marketing research.

Research implications: The theoretical framework contributes, through time and across contexts, to the business theory of supplier–manufacturer relationships. The tested research model demonstrates properties of validity and reliability across countries and company sizes. Implications and suggestions for further research are provided.

Practical implications: The empirical findings indicate key factors that contribute to satisfaction in manufacturer–supplier relationships in different countries and companies.

Originality/value: The article makes a contribution to theory relating to supplier–manufacturer relationships, providing evidence that the tested, hypothesized relationships are generally applicable. The validation or falsification of empirical findings in previous research is crucial in building valid and reliable theory over time and across contexts. Otherwise, theory becomes fragmented and undermines the credibility of marketing research.     

社区银行的内涵特征、历史沿革与模式创新--基于中外社区银行的内容分析与案例研究

本研究梳理了社区与社区银行的概念,通过对14组代表性定义的内容分析和编码发现传统社区银行的实质就是中小型商业银行。社区隐含了社区银行的覆盖范围、服务对象和业务特征,其服务对象没有实质差别。研究提出了社区银行的四个维度和特征,分别是银行规模、覆盖范围、服务对象和业务种类。监管机构和美国提出者更关注银行规模,而研究者特别是中国研究者更重视覆盖范围。因此,“地理范围论”和“资产规模论”基本成立,而“国别论”理论差别不大,“所有制论”和“形态论”并不成立。通过案例研究和实地调研归纳出社区银行的三种主要模式：即美国的“关系信贷”、澳大利亚的“特许经营”和中国的“金融生态”模式。其中,“特许经营”模式变相扩大了银行规模和覆盖范围两个维度,而“金融生态”模式扩展和丰富了银行规模、覆盖范围和业务种类。最后,结合发达国家的先进经验,有针对性地提出四点建议,并构建了中国社区银行建设的特征与要素模型。     

基于客户认知价值的CRM战略

客户需求的多样化 ,个性化 ,客户经验的成熟化为企业提出了服务敏捷 ,优质 ,准确的高标准要求。以“客户为中心” ,一切以满足客户需求为目标的客户关系管理 (CRM)战略正是解决这一问题的重大管理决策。但CRM战略的实施不仅是从企业一方出发 ,最大可能地为客户创造需求。而且因为客户的最终价值是从其获得的总价值中扣除为获得产品或服务所支付的成本而享有的最终感受。因此 ,基于客户对企业产品或服务价值的看法或需求 ,选取适当的营销方式 ,明确相应的CRM战略是客户关系管理战略成功的关键。     

Relationship Commitment and Ethical Consumer Behavior in a Retail Setting: The Case of Receiving Too Much Change at the Checkout

In this study, we conducted two experiments to examine the effect of relationship commitment on the reaction of shoppers to receiving too much change, controlling for the amount of excess change. Hypotheses based on equity theory, opportunism and guilt were set up and tested. The first study showed that, when the less committed consumer is confronted with a large excess of change, he/she is less likely to report this mistake, compared with a small excess. Conversely, consumers with a high commitment towards the retailer are more likely to tell when they receive too much change, especially when the amount is large. The second experiment provided an explanation for these findings: the less committed consumer is driven by opportunism, whereas guilt-related feelings play an important role in a high commitment relationship. These results have several implications for both retail management and future research.     

Reviving brand loyalty: A reconceptualization within the framework of consumer-brand relationships

This paper uses the perspective of interpersonal relationship theory to critically examine, reposition, and extend the notion of brand loyalty. Depth interviews among eight coffee-consuming adults who qualified as brand loyal by traditional criteria provide the data. The result is a deeper appreciation of the character of loyal consumer-brand relations and a sharper awareness of the limitations to understanding that current theoretical frameworks impose. Specifically, the authors suggest that: (1) not all loyal brand relationships are alike, in strength or in character; (2) many brand relationships not identified as ‘loyal’ according to dominant theoretical conceptions are especially meaningful from the cunsumer's point of view; and (3) current approaches to classification accept some brand relationships that, upon close scrutiny, do not possess assumed characteristics of ‘loyalty’ or ‘strength’ at all. Ideas stemming from a reframing of loyalty as one component in a multifaceted construct of relationship strength are put forth, encouraging a move from the metaphor of ‘loyalty’ to the broader notion of ‘relationships’ that encompasses it.     

Perceptions of the Ethical Work Climate and Covenantal Relationships

Employees perception of the existence of a covenantal relationship between themselves and their employer indicates that they believe there is a mutual commitment to shared values and the welfare of the other party in the relationship. Research suggests that these types of employment relationships have positive benefits for both employees and employers. There has been little research, however, on the factors that determine whether such relationships will develop and thrive.In this paper, we suggest that the organizations ethical work climate may be an important factor affecting employees perceptions about the nature of the relational contract between themselves and their employer. Specifically, we argue that work climates emphasizing benevolence and principle will be associated with covenantal relationships. Conversely, we believe that work climates emphasizing egoism will make it less likely that covenantal relationships will develop between an employer and employee.In order to test our hypotheses, we collected data from 194 employees of a large retail department store. The employees perceived their work climates in terms of principle (laws and professional codes) and benevolence, but to a lesser extent also believed that egoism (self interest) concerns characterized their climate. After controlling for demographic and job-related variables, we found (as expected) that measures of principled and benevolence climate were positively associated with covenantal relationships and that a measure of egoistic climate was negatively associated with covenantal relationships. In the final section of the paper, we discuss the implications of these findings for research and practice.     

长江经济带多极网络空间发展格局研究——“经济网络—多增长极—共生关系”分析框架的构建与应用

在区域经济发展过程中,空间极化与空间经济网络发育共进,多个增长极与空间经济网络有机结合和共生形成多极网络空间组织。实施长江经济带发展战略,要把构建和优化多极网络空间发展格局作为一个重点。基于“经济网络—多增长极—共生关系”的分析框架,利用2000—2017年A股上市公司的总部—分支数据构建长江经济带空间经济网络,通过节点度、网络密度、点度中心度、网络连通度等分析其发育水平,并根据城市综合指数（标准化后的节点度与规模加权经济增长率之和）判定增长极范围及其核心城市,进而运用共生度模型检验增长极与空间经济网络之间的共生关系,结果发现：长江经济带的空间经济网络发育水平稳步上升并趋于成熟,同时已形成长三角、长江中游、成渝三大增长极;三大增长极之间的经济联系持续增强,其中,长三角增长极与长江中游增长极的联系强度最大,长三角增长极与成渝增长极次之,而长江中游增长极与成渝增长极的联系强度较小;增长极与空间经济网络之间存在正向非对称互惠共生关系,增长极对空间经济网络的促进大于空间经济网络对增长极的促进,空间经济网络对增长极的促进作用不断增强,而增长极对空间经济网络的促进作用呈现先减弱后增强的趋势。可见,多极网络空间组织在长江经济带已初步形成,应在进一步推动三大增长极加快发展的同时,加强增长极之间的互动,建立多维度多层次的更加紧密的空间经济联系,提升空间经济网络的现代化水平,促进长江经济带多极网络空间发展格局的持续优化。