Title: Structural capital and relational capital: examining the direct and moderating role of cognitive capital in customer-supplier relationships

Authors: Kuldeep Singh; Sina Zare; Mark Ray Reavis; Jack E. Tucci

Addresses: Management and Marketing, Arkansas Tech University, Rothwell Hall, 106 West O Street, Russellville, AR 72801, USA ' College of Business, Arkansas State University, Room 404, Jonesboro, Arkansas, 72467, USA ' College of Business, University of Central Arkansas, 201 Donaghey Ave, COB 211K, Conway, Arkansas, 72035, USA ' College of Business, Arkansas Tech University, Rothwell Hall, 106 O Street, Russellville, AR-72801, USA

Abstract: There is maturing consensus in supply chain literature that structural capital (SC), cognitive capital (CC), and relational capital (RC) comprise the three main facets of social capital. While the benefits of these three dimensions are well documented within the supply chain context, there is comparatively little research exists on the interplay among SC, CC, and RC. In our research, we postulate a theoretical model that posits that SC and CC are the antecedents of RC. In addition, this model illustrates that CC is a complementary resource that moderates the relationship between SC and RC. The model was tested using data from a sample of 99 US firms. The results suggest that SC and CC are the foundation of RC within the customer-supplier context and CC positively moderates the relationship between SC and RC.

Keywords: structural capital; cognitive capital; relational capital; social capital; complementary resource; moderation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMP.2024.135194

International Journal of Management Practice, 2024 Vol.17 No.1, pp.95 - 112

Received: 13 Dec 2021
Accepted: 07 Mar 2022
Published online: 02 Dec 2023 *