模仿同形與關係專屬性投資－－以臺灣代工廠商為例

Mimetic Isomorphism and Relationship-Specific Investment: An Examination of Taiwanese OEM/ODM Suppliers

關係專屬性投資對台灣代工廠商而言是個重要議題。過去研究大多從經濟理性來探討忽略社會因素影響。本研究認為內部與外部制度壓力會影響廠商從事關係專屬性投資之傾向。藉由161 份台灣代工廠商之問卷，實證結果支持制度理論模仿（次數基礎、特徵基礎及模仿基礎）同形之概念。當外部有越多廠商採行專屬性投資行為模式時，個別廠商從事此一投資的意願會較高。此外，同型現象也存在組織內部，當廠商過去持續從事關係專屬性投資，則廠商從事此行為的可能性也較大。最後，在關係專屬性投資上，技術環境不確定性會強化外部模仿同形之現象。

Relationship-specific investments (RSIs) are an important issue for Taiwanese OEM/ODM suppliers. Prior research on this issue has primarily focused on economic rationality and overlooked sociological approaches. This study argues that both internal and external institutional pressures influence a firm’s propensity to RSIs. Using a sample of 161 Taiwanese OEM/ODM suppliers, the results support for institutional isomorphism (frequency-based, trait-based and outcome-based). The greater the frequency of adoption of RSIs by other firms in an environment, the greater a firm’s propensity to use RSIs. Isomorphic behavior is also present within a firm, as the firm exhibits consistency in RSIs across time. Further, technological uncertainty positively moderates external mimetic isomorphism on a firm’s RSIs.