The antecedents of information exchange in export business networks
Résumé
This research examines information exchange within export-firm networks. The authors draw upon relational contract theory and the network approach to better understand the role played by information exchange in business networks. The empirical study is based on a survey conducted among 317 French exporters. The results, obtained using structural equation modelling, show that sense of belonging to a network and socialisation between members influence information exchange between export managers. The results also reveal that socialisation acts as a variable that mediates the link between sense of belonging and information exchange. Lastly, the results identify the antecedents of three constructs drawn upon by the authors: network selectivity, presence of a facilitator, and use of an IT tool.