Purpose This paper aims to propose an integrated model based on buyer and supplier opportunism to show the mechanism through which current and competing suppliers influence buyer market competitiveness. Design/methodology/approach Questionnaires were distributed to purchasing staff in listed electronics firms in Taiwan to collect empirical data. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze these data and examine the fitness of the proposed model. Findings The findings show that current and competing suppliers influence buyer market competitiveness through supplier opportunistic behaviors and buyer commitment. The alternative attractiveness of competing suppliers affects buyer market competitiveness through the influence of asset specificity. Supplier opportunism negatively and indirectly influences buyer market competitiveness through buyer commitment. Nevertheless, buyer opportunism does not influence buyer commitment and market competitiveness. Research limitations/implications The investigation focused on only one industry in one country. Future research could investigate other industries and countries to increase the generalizability of the findings. Practical implications The results suggest that buyers can focus on utilizing the pressure of alternative suppliers to improve market competitiveness through increased specific investments by the current supplier. Originality/value On the basis of buyer–supplier opportunism, this study shows the mechanism through which the asset specificity of current suppliers and alternative attractiveness influence buyer market competitiveness.

Purpose - This study seeks to extend current research by testing a framework for understanding the impact of perceived suppliers' willingness for customization, effective communication, and trust regarding perceived switching costs. Design/methodology/approach - Research data were collected from electronics firms in Taiwan; 281 questionnaires were collected. Structural equation model (SEM) analysis was applied to the data. Findings - The study suggests that perceived trust contributes to perceived switching costs. The perceived willingness of a supplier to customize for a buyer can indirectly impact on perceived switching costs by way of perceived trust toward the supplier. Furthermore, analysis of the direct and indirect effects reveals that effective communication plays a dominant role and has a significant influence on trust and perceived switching costs. Originality/value - While recent research increasingly examines customer switching costs in terms of antecedents, this study provides greater insight into switching costs from the trust-forming perspective to ensure customer retention

Purpose -Although previous studies have examined the influence of asset specificity on firm performance, the literature has not focused on the influence of supplier asset specificity on product development, or the transformation that induces this. This study aims to propose a model by using the relational exchange perspective to explain the mechanism in which supplier investment in specific assets on behalf of buyers influences buyer performance in product development. Design/methodology/approach -Empirical data were collected from research and development staff in Taiwanese listed electronic firms and tested using structural equation modeling to verify the fit of the hypothetical model. Findings -The result demonstrates that supplier investment in specific assets for buyers positively impacts buyer's perceived relationship quality, which in turn affects knowledge sharing between buyers and suppliers and buyer product development performance. However, asset specificity does not directly affect knowledge sharing. Originality/value -This study illuminates the contribution of asset specificity to knowledge sharing and product development performance, by clarifying the mediation effects resulting from relationship quality and knowledge sharing.

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