Coordination and Virtualization: The Role of Electronic Networks and Personal Relationships
研究了企业使用电子网络与供应商交易对虚拟化程度的影响，发现电子网络使用并未增加外包，反而与内部生产依赖增加相关，且人际关系协调与电子网络使用正相关，但电子网络使用与订单质量、效率及供应商满意度负相关，而人际关系可缓解这种负面效应。
One view holds that organizations are virtual to the extent that they outsource key components of their production processes, and that electronic networks make it easier to do this. The goal of the present paper is to examine explicitly the effects that use of electronic networks for transactions with suppliers has on firms' degree of virtualization. In so doing, we also highlight factors that influence the use of networks for coordination with suppliers, and the impact such use has on coordination success. Contrary to much recent speculation, the use of electronic networks for transactions was not associated with increased outsourcing, but rather with greater dependence on internal production. Moreover, the use of interpersonal relationships for coordination, which many think of as an alternative to electronic network use, was positively associated with greater network use. Surprisingly, use of electronic networks was negatively associated with such outcomes as order quality and efficiency, and satisfaction with suppliers, while more reliance on personal linkages was associated with better outcomes and mitigated the negative consequences of using electronic networks.