Perceptions of Technology Uncertainty and the Consequences for Performance in Buyer-Supplier Relationships

Marian Oosterhuis (1) , Taco van Der Vaart (1) , Eric Molleman (1)

1 Faculty of Economics and Business

In this paper, we investigate how buyers' and suppliers' distinct perceptions of technology uncertainty affect the relationship between communication frequency and supplier performance. Information processing theory suggests that a fit is desirable between perceived environmental uncertainty and the communication processes between organisations. However, if partners in a buyer-supplier relationship do not concur on there being a high level of technology uncertainty, it is highly questionable whether increased communication will be effective in increasing supplier performance. Using dyadic data involving 388 respondents from 86 buyer-supplier relationships, we found that communication frequency was positively related to supplier performance, but only when both suppliers and buyers perceive there to be high levels of technology uncertainty. When buyers perceived greater technology uncertainty than their suppliers, communication frequency was negatively related to supplier performance. The findings from this study show that it is important to take the distinct perceptions of buyers and suppliers on technology uncertainty into account when assessing the effects of communication frequency. It appears that increased communication is only effective when both parties acknowledge the need to communicate, and can even be unfavourable when only one party sees the benefits of it.

Mots clés: Physical Sciences

Marian Oosterhuis, Taco van Der Vaart, Eric Molleman. Perceptions of Technology Uncertainty and the Consequences for Performance in Buyer-Supplier Relationships. International Journal of Production Research, 2011, pp.1. ⟨10.1080/00207543.2010.527386⟩. ⟨hal-00661560⟩