The effect of relationship dimensions on interpersonal and interorganizational commitment in organizations conducting business between Australia and China

Abstract

The paper investigates the dynamic association among relationship dimensions and their impact on interpersonal and interorganizational commitment in a sample of Australian and Chinese companies that do business together. Path modeling was used to explore the hierarchical nature of the relationship dimensions amongst one another and on the dependent variables. We conclude that relationship variables in our cross-cultural study are hierarchical and that personal relationships are critical to building and enhancing interorganizational relationships. We note that some relationship dimensions may not have significant direct relationships with commitment, but their indirect and total effects may be significant. Our results challenge conventional conceptualization of relationship dimensions by suggesting a hierarchy of importance among the dimensions.