Transactional factors influencing dependence between firms in the fresh produce international trade. The case of exports from Chile to Europe
Les déterminants transactionnels de la dépendance inter firmes dans le commerce international des produits frais. Le cas des exportations du Chili vers l'Europe
Résumé
Dependence created by asset specificity is given a lot of emphasis in Transaction Cost Theory but is never explicit when empirical tests are performed. By drawing on Resource Dependence Theory empirical literature defining and measuring a structure of interdependence and by using a case study with a well-documented database, our paper aims to fill this gap. The dependence at stake is between Chilean exporters and European importers when transacting fresh produce. It originates in the need for just-in-time coordination and compliance with a compelling demand in a context of high price uncertainty. The database which provides a detailed description of the inter-individual transactions is used to measure asset specificity and frequency and approximate dependence through individual sales/purchases concentration ratios. A model is then used to analyse the causality link. Results show that by differentiating four categories of interdependence, bilateral dependence, unilateral dependence of the exporter or importer and non-dependence, there is significant discriminatory influence of asset specificity and volume.