An exploratory study of the effect of social capital on supply chain relationships: the case of Romania

This study examines the relationship of social capital among buyers and their principal supplier and their most recently chosen supplier in Romania. The study provides an understanding of the transition from a command to a market economy. Responses from 96 managers were analyzed and revealed that supply chain practices are unevenly applied, the practices are used to greater degree with the principal supplier, and a statistically significant link was found between measures of the buyer’s social capital and its supply chain relationships with the principal supplier. No such link was found between the buyer and its most recently chosen supplier.