Dimensions of behavior and proactive improvement in hotel outsourcing relationships: the role of justice

Abstract

This study shows the role of justice as a success factor in hotel outsourcing relationships. More specifically, it investigates the associations between two different dimensions of justice (procedural and distributive) and attitudes and behaviors in the relationship with suppliers, in terms of trust, cooperation, and long-term orientation. The work also analyzes to what degree these behavioral elements influence suppliers’ proactive improvement, and whether cooperation mediates these relationships. The study provides a unique perspective on this dynamic and the results of the relationships between suppliers and hotels. The results establish that the perception of distributive justice has a positive influence on the long-term orientation of the outsourcing relationship, whereas the perception of procedural justice negatively influences the long-term orientation. The research findings provide evidence about the influence of procedural and distributive justice on trust in the outsourcing relationships, and that trust has a positive impact on cooperation and a long-term orientation. The results show that the long-term orientation and trust do not directly influence proactive improvement, but there is an indirect effect through cooperation.