A RESEARCH ON THE CONCEPT OF DEPENDENCE WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF RESOURCE DEPENDENCE THEORY: A QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS ON PURCHASING PROCESS BETWEEN SUPPLIER AND BUYER COMPANIES OPERATING IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY IN TURKEY

This study aims to reveal i- how dependence is formed and ii- how it functions, in the organizations that develop dependence relationships within the framework of Resource Dependence Theory (RDT). The basic qualitative research method adopted in the research, which focuses on buyer and supplier companies operating in the automotive industry in Turkey. Structured interviews, which conducted with the executives of 8 buyer companies and 10 suppliers who are the parties to the dependence relationship, are used as a data-gathering method. The data analysis presents in two stages. Since the dependence concept in RDT literature is a guide in determining the initial themes and codes, a deductive approach adopted for the first part of the analysis, which related to the research question how dependence relationship is formed. An inductive approach adopted for the second research question how dependence relationship functions, since RDT has no description field, and the themes and codes in this stage derived directly from the data. Therefore, one of the most important contributions of the research results to the RDT literature is the framework revealed on how dependence functions as a new dimension in the definition of dependence. Research findings on the conditions of the formation of dependency reveal the asymmetric relationship between the parties of the dependency relationship in a manner consistent with the existing literature. While the importance of the source and the determination of alternatives are important for the researched buyer companies, the importance of the buyer and the substitutability of the buyer company comes to the fore for the supplier company. According to the findings, the main firms represent the strong side of this relationship, but for both parties, qualitative elements are more important than the quantitative ones. Findings on how dependency works include implications for new studies that intersect with RDT and strategic management. For firms, bargaining power is central to the dependency relationship.