Driven by supply chain ambidexterity. Substitutable and complementary effects of supply chain emergence and control on triadic relational performance

With the increasing level of supply chain complexity, the mechanisms of emergence and control have become essential for achieving superior performance. To operationalize the relationships between the two mechanisms, we develop the dimensions of balance emergence-control (BEC) and combined emergence-control (CEC). While BEC highlights the need to match two mechanisms that are substitutes, CEC treats emergence and control rather as complements that reinforce one another. Additionally, we also develop the construct of supply chain ambidexterity as a conglomerate of exploitation and exploration practices performed within service triads. In this study, we investigate the effects of supply chain ambidexterity on emergence and control, and their resulting effects on triadic relational performance.

To develop the research model and test hypotheses, hypothetic-deductive logic was employed to underpin the quantitative survey-based methodology. The data for the analysis was derived from 350 service triads operating in Europe. To ensure the robustness of the results, Confirmatory Factor Analysis was carried out, followed by hierarchical regression analysis and path analysis. The findings show that while supply chain ambidexterity has a positive effect on emergence, it has a negative effect on control. The results also demonstrate that when applied independently, balance emergence-control and combined emergence-control have a respective positive and negative effect on triadic relational performance. Interestingly however, when applied collectively, balance emergence-control and combined emergence-control demonstrate a positive effect on triadic relational performance.