Embeddedness Configuration and its’ Relations to Inter-Firm connectivity in Supply Network: A Social Network Analysis Approach

Abstract

This is a network exploratory  research looking at determining the different pattern of connectivity that may exist in a buyer supplier relationship of the supply network and how these differences affects the pattern of inter-firm positioning in the network.  Specifically, to address the lack of theoretical work on how connections in the supply network influence supply network outcome, this research examines how different buyer-supplier embeddedness configuration in the different type of buyer supplier network relations pertains to the different pattern of connectivity that may exist in a buyer supplier relationship of the supply network.  This research adopted the social network analysis methodology from the field of sociology.  Findings showed that the embeddedness configuration of firms differ depending on the type of network relations.  Future research should attempt to conduct statistical test of the relationship posted in this study.