Vera Belaya

Measuring Asymmetrical Power Distribution in Supply Chain Networks: What Is the Appropriate Method?

The research topic of asymmetrical power relationships has been receiving increasingly more attention lately. However, only a few scientific works have studied power in the context of supply chain networks. Consisting of collaborative interactions among numerous firms, such networks possess a focal actor represented by a well-branded company. The other network actors are dependent on the focal company because of long-lasting explicit or implicit contracts. Hence, asymmetrical power relationships are observable. On one side, such asymmetry can lead to opportunism by the other network actors and can hinder the development of effective supply chain relationships. On the other side, power can be used by the focal actor as an effective tool in coordinating and promoting harmonious relationships, resolving conflicts, and, therefore, enhancing performance of the whole network and its individual members. In this context the aim of our work is to identify how capable existing power measurement efforts are of producing complete and objective measures. Considering the fact that power is a complex construct, fulfillment of our aim should provide an understanding of how strongly it is conceptualized and empirically tested. Thus, we review the literature on power measurement efforts undertaken in political, sociological, management, and marketing studies.

A multi-theoretical perspective on power in managing interorganizational relationships

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine power from a multi-theoretical perspective by comparing and analyzing different views and definitions of power in order to use the findings for further studying this construct as a key element for managerial purposes in the interorganizational context. Design/methodology/approach - An overview of the literature is conducted examining the power from sociological, psychological and managerial perspectives specifying views on power, its sources and consequences of its use offered by selected theories. Findings - This paper presents the opinion that the definitions of power by different theories resemble each other and the main differentiations in conceptualizations of power stem mostly from the differences in capturing sources and consequences of power. Power generally refers to the ability, capacity or potential to get others do something, to command, to influence, to determine or to control the behaviors, intentions, decisions or actions of others in the pursuit of ones own goals or interests despite resistance, as well as to induce changes. Originality/value - The fact that power can be used as an effective tool to coordinate and manage others appears to be largely ignored in the literature. In order to understand how to use it for these purposes, it is necessary to define power, which is an elusive concept that has a variety of meanings and definitions, and there seems to be much disagreement to the precise meaning of power.

Foreign direct investment as an agent of change in Russian agrifood business – consequences of the export of chain management concepts by foreign investors

The internationalisation of food retailing and manufacturing that has swept through the agrifood system in industrialised countries is now moving into Russia. When retailers as well as processors enter a new country they face the challenge to build up their procurement and distribution systems. In this way modern management concepts are exported. This article analyses the influence of FDI on Russian agrifood business. First, we outline the features of Russian agrifood business describing the current situation. Second, we discuss FDI in Russian agrifood business. Third, we elaborate on the influence of FDI on Russian agrifood business at different stages (agricultural producers, food processing, food retailing including the fast food sector). We further discuss the future prospects of the Russian food sector.

Retail internationalization and its impact on the Russian agri - food business

The internationalization process of the retailing sector is still in its turbulent starting phase. The present process of retail internationalization has created new trends in the agri-food sector such as global sourcing and retail branding. The example of Metro Group Russia underlines this point. The introduction and implementation of supply chain management concepts affect Russian agri-food business. Therefore, the aim of our article is to analyze this development. We outline the internationalization process of the retail business,and then we elaborate on the structural changes. Second, we apply this knowledge to the Russian agri-food business. We also discuss the future prospects and outlook on further development of the Russian food sector in the context of retail internationalization.

Does Power Oppose Trust? The Implications for Supply Chain Management.

Much of scientific works have been written about power and trust as constructs of business-to-business relationships separately. However, most of the existing literature studies power and trust in relation to conflict or satisfaction, and the links between power and trust and their role in supply chain networks appear to be largely ignored as a research topic. Thus, the aim of our paper is twofold. Firstly, we would like to conduct a comprehensive literature review on power and trust in supply chain networks. Secondly, we intend to use our findings in order to develop a conceptual framework of how power and trust can possibly be used as mechanisms for achieving successful coordination and cooperation within supply chain networks.

Power and influence in Russian agri-food supply chains: Results of a survey of local subsidiaries of multinational enterprises

There is a growing body of literature on the role of power and influence as key behavioural constructs in supply chains. In order to use power it is necessary to apply specific influence strategies which represent certain techniques to gain desired objectives. In order to manage supply chain networks successfully the knowledge of different influence strategies is essential, since they may have different managerial effects depending on their origin. The aim of our article is to investigate the role of power and influence strategies in supply chains. To fulfil our aim we conducted an empirical survey of 97 multinational companies (MNCs) that operate in the Russian agri-food sector.

Asymmetrical Power Distribution in Supply Chain Networks: Is There a Right Measurement Method?

The research topic of asymmetrical power relationships has been receiving increasingly more attention lately. However, only a few scientific works have studied the questions of asymmetrical power distribution in the context of supply chain networks. The aim of our work is to identify how capable the existing power measurement efforts are of producing complete and objective measures. Considering the fact that power is a complex construct, fulfillment of our aim should provide an understanding of how strongly it is conceptualized and empirically tested. Thus, we conduct a literature overview on power measurement efforts undertaken in political, sociological, management and marketing studies.

Power and Conflict in Processor-Supplier Relationships: Empirical Evidence from Russian Agri-Food Business

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of power on conflict in processor-supplier relationships and come up with recommendations for the use of power in conflict resolution. The study draws on data from 89 international food processors in Russia. The authors use structural equation modeling to test their hypotheses. Depending on the type of power, its effect on conflict may be completely different. The results indicate that coercive, reward, and legitimate powers have positive effects and expert, informational, and referent powers have negative effects on conflict. We put special focus in our research on a food processor as a focal company. Therefore, the data in our study represent a single perspective in the dyad. Our study has shown that supply chain practitioners can use expert, informational, and referent powers to effectively resolve conflict in processor-supplier relationships.

Who’s Got the Power? An Evaluation of Power Distribution in the German Agribusiness Industry

Retail chains have increased in importance during the past several decades. Currently, only a handful of retailers dominate the major food markets. The resulting market shares are generally viewed as the major source of market power for these firms. We consider market power in the German agrifood industry using the framework developed by French and Raven, who identify five sources of power—legitimate, coercive, reward, expert, and referent power. Although each source is equally important, power is hard to measure and cannot be identified with a single measure. With this context, we analyze the transcripts of a public hearing of the 18th meeting of the German Bundestag, Committee on Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, that dealt with the topic “Supply and demand power of retailers and its consequences for consumers.” As representatives from all relevant food chain participants were heard, the transcripts provide insights on the power that food retailers have in Germany.