A Dynamic Collaboration Capability as a Source of Competitive Advantage

ABSTRACT The resource‐based view of the firm argues the essence of decision making is to determine how firm and supply chain resources can be configured to achieve inimitable advantage and superior performance. However, combining resources found among diverse members of a supply chain requires highe...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Decision sciences 2011-02, Vol.42 (1), p.129-161
Main Authors: Allred, Chad R., Fawcett, Stanley E., Wallin, Cynthia, Magnan, Gregory M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Collaboration
Competitive advantage
Conflict
Decision making models
Dynamic Capability
Dynamics
Interviews
Multimethod
Multiperiod Study
Operations research
Resource management
Resource-based View
Studies
Supply chain management
Supply chains
Surveys
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:ABSTRACT The resource‐based view of the firm argues the essence of decision making is to determine how firm and supply chain resources can be configured to achieve inimitable advantage and superior performance. However, combining resources found among diverse members of a supply chain requires higher levels of coordination than exist at most companies. Manifest cross‐functional and interorganizational conflict impedes the relational advantages of collaboration. This research employs a multimethod—survey and interview—approach to evaluate collaboration's influence on operational and firm performance. Our findings show that collaboration, as a dynamic capability, mediates the conflict resulting from functional orientations, and improves performance. Specific structural enablers to enhance an organization's collaborative capability are identified and described, providing insight into how firms can exploit interfirm resources for competitive advantage.
ISSN:0011-7315
1540-5915
DOI:10.1111/j.1540-5915.2010.00304.x