Behind the Political Connections Under Emerging Democracies

Selenge Ulziisukh, Zelong Wei

Research output: Journal PublicationArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In light of inconclusive findings on the effect of political connections, this study explores conditions that affect the effectiveness of political connections on firm performance in democratic systems. First, using a resource dependence rationale, this study stresses the importance of variation in political connections and classifies direct and indirect political connections based on sources of power and the mechanisms for developing connections. Second, this study recognizes that influencing political outcomes is an entire political process in which political power matters. Furthermore, as power is central to the resource dependence rationale unlike exchange in transaction cost economics, this study explores how the effectiveness of political connections is contingent on the dynamics of de jure political power. We find that the effect of direct political connections is susceptible to changes in de jure political power due to its dyadic relationship with de jure power, while indirect political connections are more robust to such changes due to their connections with informal networks holding de facto political power. Further, the positive effects of political connections on firm performance are mediated by operational capability.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)686-716
Number of pages31
JournalManagement and Organization Review
Volume18
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 18 Aug 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • boundary condition
  • emerging democracies
  • informal networks
  • political connection
  • resource dependence theory

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Business and International Management
  • Strategy and Management

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