Trust, Long-term Orientation, and Relationship Performance: A Perspective of Distribution Management on Supply Chain

Purpose: This study sheds light on the need for trust in buyer-seller relationships in supply chains and explores why long-term orientation is important. It also investigates the effect on relationship performance. This study provides implication on how to build robust supply chains. Methodology: A survey was conducted with firms with supply chains in South Korea. A total of 350 valid questionnaires were analyzed through Entrust Survey-a sampling company. Structural equation modeling (SPSS 18.0 and AMOS) was employed to test the hypotheses. Results: Cognitive trust had a positive effect on emotional trust. Emotional trust had a positive effect on long-term orientation but did not have a significant effect on relationship performance. Long-term orientation was proportionate to relationship performance. Conclusions: Trust is a critical factor in supply chains. As business environments are rapidly changing, the uncertainties are also meaningful. Supply chains have collapsed owing to COVID-19, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the U.S.-China trade war, and they are only just recently being rebuilt. Maintaining relationships with supply-chain partners is vital, and promoting cognitive and emotional trust is necessary.