Passive information blockade and proactive information sharing: impact of asymmetric digitalization on supply chain financing risks and role of governance

Purpose Asymmetric level of supply chain digitalization (SCD) is particularly prevalent between core companies and enterprises using supply chain finance (SCF enterprises), while the interactions between them are the operational foundation and process carrier of SCF. Based on resource dependence theory (RDT), this study aims to explore the impact of SCD asymmetry on supply chain financing risks (SCFR), and the mechanism of hindering information sharing which put SCF enterprises into passive information blockade. Also, we investigate the effectiveness of governance, which act as proactive information sharing behaviors in weakening the impact of SCD asymmetry. Design/methodology/approach The authors collect dyadic survey data from 412 matched SCF enterprises and core companies in China and analyzed them using multiple regression models. Findings SCD asymmetry exacerbates SCFR by hindering information sharing. Relational governance weakens the negative impact of SCD asymmetry on information sharing, and moderates the mediation effect of SCD asymmetry on SCFR. Contractual governance only works when risk management culture is strong. Originality/value This study takes the perspective of inter-organizational relationship to break through the individual perspective and focuses on the reconstructive effect of digital resource on SCF dependence relationships. By deconstructing RDT, the authors provide unique insights for the mechanism of RDT and the governance logic in SCF context to understand how SCF enterprises use resource, rely on resource and adjust dependency to facilitate information sharing and reduce SCFR.