When Unconnected Others Connect: Does Degree of Brokerage Persist After the Formation of a Multipartner Alliance?

In contrast with previous research that emphasizes brokerage benefits by keeping other actors separated, this study investigates the conditions in which the degree of brokerage persists in subsequent network development when previously disconnected actors are no longer kept separate in a multipartne...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Organization science (Providence, R.I.) R.I.), 2012-11, Vol.23 (6), p.1682-1699
Main Authors: Yin, Xiaoli, Wu, Jianfeng, Tsai, Wenpin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aerospace industry
Air transportation industry
Airlines
Alliances
Analysis
brokerage
Brokerages
Business brokerage
Business to business commerce
Corporate strategies
Energy industry
In kind support and maintenance
International alliances
Longitudinal studies
Management education
multipartner alliances
Network analysis
networks
Organizational behaviour
Organizational research
Social networks
Strategic alliances (Business)
Studies
Technology application
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Summary:In contrast with previous research that emphasizes brokerage benefits by keeping other actors separated, this study investigates the conditions in which the degree of brokerage persists in subsequent network development when previously disconnected actors are no longer kept separate in a multipartner alliance setting. Analyses of longitudinal alliance data collected from 95 firms in the aircraft, airline, chemical, and energy industries suggest that after forming a multipartner alliance through an industry-sponsored e-marketplace, a firm with greater prior brokerage is more likely to remain influential and persist in its degree of brokerage in the subsequent alliance network when (1) the multipartner alliance has more partners and (2) size heterogeneity among partners is either low or high. The findings add to network research by offering a refined understanding of brokerage dynamics.
ISSN:1047-7039
1526-5455
DOI:10.1287/orsc.1110.0711