Information as a strategic asset in interfirm relationships: "IT and the informated boundary spanner"

This study explores the role of perceived quality of information in interfirm relationships. The influence of IT on competitive relationships in business networks has had a considerable amount of attention in IS literature. In interfirm relationships the access to information about other firms can serve as a powerful source for monitoring and influencing other firm's behavior. The perceived quality of the information exchanged by "informated boundary spanners" in channel relationships is considered to be key to mutual adjustment and influence in channel relationships. It is generally agreed that coordination of these channel relationships and the satisfaction of members on either side of the channel are essential for the performance of the parties involved. This study of supplier-distributor relationships in the airline industry tests a model that is based on the notion of influence through the exchange of high quality information in interfirm relationships while using performance and satisfaction as dependent variables.<>