Title: Inter-relationships among focal dimensions in relationship quality: a quantitative and exploratory approach

Authors: David Hutchinson; Jang Singh; Göran Svensson; Tore Mysen

Addresses: Odette School of Business, University of Windsor, N9B 3P4, Canada. ' Odette School of Business, University of Windsor, N9B 3P4, Canada. ' Oslo School of Management, P.O. Box 1195, Sentrum, 0107 Oslo, Norway. ' Oslo School of Management, P.O. Box 1195, Sentrum, 0107 Oslo, Norway

Abstract: It is generally agreed that the relationship quality (RELQUAL) in business exchange situations is important. However, there does not appear to be a consensus on the conceptualisation and measurement of the many dimensions of this construct. This may be due to the difficulty in measuring many dimensions in one empirical study. This raises a concern regarding the understanding of the interaction among the various dimensions. Using data gathered in a survey of Canadian managers and executives the present study investigates how focal dimensions pertaining to RELQUAL inter-relate. A model consisting of the following ten dimensions derived from RELQUAL literature was tested: continuity, satisfaction, trust, commitment, opportunism, cooperation, coordination, formalisation, dependence, specific assets. All recommended guidelines for convergent, discriminant and nomological validity, as well as construct reliability, were met.

Keywords: RELQUAL; relationship quality; satisfaction; formalisation; specific assets; trust; commitment; opportunism; cooperation; coordination; continuity; dependence; Canada; B2B; business-to-business; buyer-supplier relationships.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPM.2012.045651

International Journal of Procurement Management, 2012 Vol.5 No.2, pp.229 - 252

Published online: 16 Aug 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article