An Empirical Study on Path Dependence in Trade Contract Practices and Operational Agility of Korean Export Firms

Purpose : This study analyzes how trade contract constraints, based on Transaction Cost Theory, affect path dependence and operational agility in Korean export firms, and further examines the moderating effect of market bargaining power through the lens of Resource Dependence Theory. Research design, data and methodology : A structured survey using a 7-point Likert scale was conducted with Korean exporting firms selected through simple random sampling from members of KITA, KOTRA, KOMMA, and KFIA. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 28.0 and SmartPLS version 4.1, applying the PLS-SEM method to test the proposed research model. Results : Only the lack of trade contract knowledge significantly increased path dependence, which, in turn, positively influenced operational agility. Market bargaining power moderated the effects of logistics and environmental instability on path dependence. Conclusions : Path dependence in trade contracts can enhance execution consistency in unstable environments. Rather than limiting flexibility, repetition may function as an adaptive strategy. Improving contract literacy can support both compliance and agility.