The antecedents of information exchange in export business networks

Abstract

This research examines information exchange within exportfirm 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 modeling, show that sense of belonging to a network and socialization between members influence information exchange between export managers. They also reveal that socialization acts as a variable that mediates the link between sense of belonging and information exchange. Last, the results identify the antecedents of three constructs drawn upon by the authors. Our work emphasizes the importance of socialization for the functioning of networks and allows us to propose the concept of “network socialization,” which concerns the actions undertaken by the members of a network to integrate new actors.