Role of network counterparties and relational structure in knowledge resource dependence: evidence from professional football (soccer) player transfers

Abstract

Often scholars have noted that firms are increasingly depending on acquiring professionals from other firms. The inter-firm mobility of professionals, also referred as knowledge resources, is a result of competition between firms to obtain the best resource which culminates into forming inter-organizational network. Extant research shows that interorganizational mobility of knowledge resources influences actions and outcomes of both source and destination firms. Knowledge flow due to mobility of professionals further embeds the firms in competitive interdependence. The risks of such interdependence are high when there is asymmetry in competitive advantage between the firms. However, existing studies is yet to consider the implication of competitive interdependence in the interorganizational network of knowledge resource mobility. Motivated by this research gap, this thesis argues the need for the introduction of Resource Dependence Theory in the KR mobility literature. The resource dependence theory of the firm provides the logic to understand how firms can seek resources and simultaneously create competitive advantage by managing the dependencies. Within the context of KR mobility, network partners or counterparties are those firms engaged in mobilizing KRs, making them crucial external entities. Drawing on network concepts, this study bridges the two isolated literature on knowledge resource mobility and resource dependence relation between firms.