THIRD PARTY DECERTIFICATION: A RELATIONAL SIGNALLING APPROAC

Nuñez R.B.; Murcia M.J. · Academy of Management Annual Meeting Proceedings (2025) · DOI: 10.5465/amproc.2025.30bp

Resumen

As corporate responsibility extends beyond a firm's boundaries, buying firms are increasingly accountable for their entire supply chain and are thus motivated to certify. This paper explores the opposite phenomenon—namely, that of decertification, where firms voluntarily abandon third-party standards, despite their role in reducing information asymmetries. Drawing on Relational Signaling Theory (RST), we examine the nuances of supplier–buyer relationships whereby parties continue transacting while forgoing certifications. We unveil three types of supplier–buyer relationships—self-interest, trust, and judgment— emphasizing the inherent ambiguity of the certification landscape.

Instituciones: Universidad de Piura