Mitigation of supply chain relational risk caused by cultural differences between China and the West

摘要

Purpose - This paper aims to add a cultural-relational dimension to the supply chain riskrnmanagement (SCRM) literature.rnDesign/methodology/approach - Inter-firm learning and cultural adaptation literatures arernreviewed, missing themes identified and a conceptual model proposed.rnFindings - The authors define the problem of supply chain relational risk (SCRR) and explain therncultural differences between China and the West, which form a subset of SCRR. They then proposerncultural adaptation as the solution to this problem. Two missing themes are identified concerning thernprocess of cultural adaptation between China and the West and the causal relationship betweenrncultural adaptation and partnership performance.rnResearch limitations/implications - This is a conceptual paper based on secondary data.rnPractical implications - Cultural differences between China and the West impact the relationalrnrisks facing Western buyers and their Chinese suppliers. To create a mutually beneficial partnership, itrnis necessary for both parties to understand the cultural differences and the process of culturalrnadaptation. Ultimately, the paper will help firms mitigate the relational risks associated with culturalrndifferences.rnOriginality/value - The paper extends prior work in the area of SCRM by adding arnrelational-cultural dimension. With a view to mitigation of SCRRs, the authors develop a conceptualrnprocess model, which describes a relationship-building process incorporating cultural adaptation forrnthe creation of a mutually beneficial partnership, which features a hybrid cultural interface.