Determinants of buyer relationship intention from a signaling perspective : the case of Vietnamese importers

Nguyen, TTM

Determinants of buyer relationship intention from a signaling perspective : the case of Vietnamese importers

Nguyen, TTM

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Publication Type:: Thesis
Issue Date:: 2007

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Nguyen, TTM
dc.date.accessioned	2010-05-05T04:08:46Z
dc.date.accessioned	2012-12-15T03:53:00Z
dc.date.available	2010-05-05T04:08:46Z
dc.date.available	2012-12-15T03:53:00Z
dc.date.issued	2007
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/20246
dc.description	University of Technology, Sydney. Faculty of Business.	en
dc.description.abstract	Marketing scholars and practitioners have recognised the importance of developing and nurturing relationships to achieve sustainable competitive advantages. However, while selling firms prefer to establish relationships with buyers, it is strongly argued that not all buyers have the motive or desire to do so. Therefore, understanding determinants of buyers' relationship intentions is crucial for sellers to develop appropriate relationship marketing strategies. A review of the literature on business-to-business relationships reveals that limited research has investigated the existence of imperfect and asymmetric information in buyer-seller relationships. The degree of imperfection and asymmetry is more marked in the importer-exporter relationship context because of differences in cultural, social and business environments. Signaling theory suggests that sending signals can solve problems caused by asymmetric and imperfect information. Signaling theory has become a standard framework for studying a wide variety of phenomena. However, the question of how signals can help to encourage buyers to engage in long-term relationships with sellers has been largely ignored. This study attempts to enhance our knowledge by investigating the determinants of buyers' relationship intention from a signaling perspective. Based on a review of literature on relationship intention, signaling theory and supplier selection, this study develops a theoretical model to explain: (1) how signal consistency and signal clarity determine importers' relationship intention; and, (2) how signal consistency and signal clarity influence importers' perceptions of the three critical supplier selection criteria (product quality, price competitiveness and de1ivery performance). Two competing models are also proposed in association with the theoretical model. A transition economy (Vietnam) was selected in which to test these models. A survey questionnaire was developed based on the literature review and nine in-depth interviews, then tested via a pilot study. Survey data utilising a sample of 418 Vietnamese importers, was used to validate constructs via Confirmatory Factor Analysis, and then to test the theoretical model and its two competing models via twostep approach in Structural Equation Modeling. All constructs achieve reliability and validity, and the theoretical model is selected over its two competing models. All eleven hypotheses derived from the theoretical model are supported by the data. The results show that signal consistency and signal clarity positively influence perceived product quality, perceived price competitiveness and perceived delivery performance. These perceptions then have positive effects on exporter credibility. Exporter credibility, in turn, positively influences importer relationship intention. The findings also support the moderating roles of ownership and relationship duration. The study concludes with a discussion of theoretical, methodological and contextual contributions. Managerial implications for exporters, importers and government, as well as directions for future research, are also addressed.	en
dc.format	Thesis (PhD)
dc.language.iso	en	en
dc.relation	https://opus.lib.uts.edu.au/bitstream/10453/20246/12/02whole.pdf
dc.relation.replaces	http://hdl.handle.net/2100/1055
dc.rights	au.edu.uts.lib/ppc
dc.rights	The author owns the copyright in this thesis including all reproduction and reuse rights for the work. The work may not be altered without the permission of the copyright owner. Attribution is essential when quoting or paraphrasing from this thesis.
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.title	Determinants of buyer relationship intention from a signaling perspective : the case of Vietnamese importers	en
dc.type	Thesis
utslib.copyright.status	open_access

Abstract:

Marketing scholars and practitioners have recognised the importance of developing and nurturing relationships to achieve sustainable competitive advantages. However, while selling firms prefer to establish relationships with buyers, it is strongly argued that not all buyers have the motive or desire to do so. Therefore, understanding determinants of buyers' relationship intentions is crucial for sellers to develop appropriate relationship marketing strategies. A review of the literature on business-to-business relationships reveals that limited research has investigated the existence of imperfect and asymmetric information in buyer-seller relationships. The degree of imperfection and asymmetry is more marked in the importer-exporter relationship context because of differences in cultural, social and business environments. Signaling theory suggests that sending signals can solve problems caused by asymmetric and imperfect information. Signaling theory has become a standard framework for studying a wide variety of phenomena. However, the question of how signals can help to encourage buyers to engage in long-term relationships with sellers has been largely ignored. This study attempts to enhance our knowledge by investigating the determinants of buyers' relationship intention from a signaling perspective. Based on a review of literature on relationship intention, signaling theory and supplier selection, this study develops a theoretical model to explain: (1) how signal consistency and signal clarity determine importers' relationship intention; and, (2) how signal consistency and signal clarity influence importers' perceptions of the three critical supplier selection criteria (product quality, price competitiveness and de1ivery performance). Two competing models are also proposed in association with the theoretical model. A transition economy (Vietnam) was selected in which to test these models. A survey questionnaire was developed based on the literature review and nine in-depth interviews, then tested via a pilot study. Survey data utilising a sample of 418 Vietnamese importers, was used to validate constructs via Confirmatory Factor Analysis, and then to test the theoretical model and its two competing models via twostep approach in Structural Equation Modeling. All constructs achieve reliability and validity, and the theoretical model is selected over its two competing models. All eleven hypotheses derived from the theoretical model are supported by the data. The results show that signal consistency and signal clarity positively influence perceived product quality, perceived price competitiveness and perceived delivery performance. These perceptions then have positive effects on exporter credibility. Exporter credibility, in turn, positively influences importer relationship intention. The findings also support the moderating roles of ownership and relationship duration. The study concludes with a discussion of theoretical, methodological and contextual contributions. Managerial implications for exporters, importers and government, as well as directions for future research, are also addressed.

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