Effect of Buyer’s Support for Subcontractor on Buyer’s Internationalization

Intensified global competition compels firms to focus on their core competencies and develop and secure additional competencies through supply chain cooperation. Among the various types of supply chain relations, subcontracting raises concerns about the asymmetric bargaining power between the subcontracting company and the subcontractors. This calls for a discussion on supply chain cooperation in subcontracting relations and its effect on business outcomes. This study analyzed the influence of voluntary support policies of buyer firms for their subcontractors on the level of buyers’ internationalization. Using a sample of 1,016 Korean manufacturing firms, we found that buyer’s management support for subcontractors, high proportion of cash settlement, and pursuit of long-term subcontracting relations raise the level of buyer’s internationalization. This implies that the policies that support subcontractors can create a virtuous cycle for better business outcomes for buyers. Additionally, the assessment of the moderating effect of business group membership of buyers revealed that buyers who are members of business groups experience less positive influence of subcontractor supporting policies on internationalization. Based on these results, academic and practical implications are presented, and future research directions are discussed.