Relationship Quality in Business Relations
The research group focuses on relationship quality in purchase and sales relationships in B2B settings.
Key Information
- Duration: 2007 -->
- Participants: Nils M. Høgevold and Göran Svensson (directors).
Other active participants: Rocio Rodriguez, University of Murcia (Spain) and Kristiania University College (Norway); Mornay Roberts-Lombard, University of the Western Cape, South Africa; Isolde Lubbe, University of Johannesburg, South Africa; Carlos Ferro-Soto, Vigo University, Spain; Carmen Padin, Vigo University, Spain; Tzong-Ru Lee, National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan; Jyh-Liang Guan, National Ilan University, Taiwan; Carmen Otero-Neira, Vigo University, Spain.
For more information about each participant's background and research, click on the participant's name above, and you will be taken to the person's staff page.
- Contact: nils.hogevold@kristiania.no
Nils Høgevold
Background
This research group is international with active members in several countries and continents, such as Norway, South Africa, Spain and Taiwan. Historically, studies and collaboration have embraced colleagues in Australia, Africa, Europe, North and South America
The overall objective is to develop nomological frameworks of relationship quality that propose cause-and-effects between key factors in B2B practices.
Research
- Quality Management and Relationship Quality – A Purchase Perspective. This research area focuses on quality management in business practices based on a buyer perspective:
- Constantaras, M. C., Moistert, P. G. and Svensson, G. (2025), “The Interrelationship between Economic Satisfaction, Trust, Commitment, and Non-economic Satisfaction in Franchisee-Franchisor Relationships", International Journal of Procurement Management (Forthcoming issue).
- Constantaras, M. C., Mostert, P. and Svensson, G., (2025), “Antecedents of Economic and Non-economic Satisfaction in a Franchise Context”, International Journal of Enterprise Network Management (Forthcoming Issue).
- Guan, J-L., Lee, T-R., Otero-Neira, C., Svensson, G. and Høgevold, N. (2021), “Action and Social Alignment Constituents of Collaboration in Business Relationships: Buyer and Seller Perspectives”, Journal of Relationship Marketing, pp.1-32.
- Zietsman, M., Mostert, P. and Svensson, G. (2020), “A Multidimensional Approach to the Outcomes of Perceived Value in Business Relationships”, European Business Review, Vol. 22, No. 4, pp. 709-729.
- Zietsman, M., Mostert, P. and Svensson, G. (2020), “Economic and Non-Economic Satisfaction as Outcomes of Micro-Enterprises’ Perceived Value from Banking Relationships”, Journal of Business-to-Business Marketing, Vol. 27, No. 3, pp. 263-281.
- Roberts-Lombard, M., Mpinganjira, M. and Svensson, G. (2019), “The antecedents and postcedents of satisfaction in business-to-business relationships in South Africa”, South African Journal of Business Management, Vol. 50, No. 1, org/10.4102/sajbm.v50i1.212.
- Mostert, P., Zietsman, M and Svensson, G. (2019), “A Validation of META-RELQUAL under South African Micro-Enterprise Banking Customers”, International Journal of Business Excellence, Vol. 18, No. 4., pp. 549-569.
- Sosa Varela, J. C., Svensson, G. and Mpinganjira, M. (2019), “Validating Trust and Commitment as Mediators between Economic and Non-Economic Satisfaction in Buyer-Supplier Relationships", International Journal of Procurement Management, Vol. 12, No. 4, pp. 391-409.
- Payan, J., Padin, C., Ferro, C. and Svensson, G., (2018), “Action & social alignment components of collaboration in SME business relationships”, Journal of Small Business & Entrepreneurship, Vol. 30, No.3, pp. 1-19.
- Svensson, G. and Høgevold, N. (2017), “A Benchmarking Toolkit to Prioritize Corporate Sustainable Development in Supply Chains”, Communications of IIMA, Vol. 15, No. 2, Article 3.
- Roberts-Lombard, M., Mpinganjira, M. and Svensson, G. (2017), “Antecedents and Outcomes of Satisfaction in Buyer-Supplier Relationships in South Africa: A Replication Study”, South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences, Vol. 20, No. 1, pp. 1-14.
- Mpinganjira, M., Roberts-Lombard, M. and Svensson, G. (2016), “Validating the Relationship between Trust, Commitment, Economic and Non-Economic Satisfaction in South African Buyer-Supplier Relationships”, Journal of Business-to-Business Marketing, 32, No. 3, pp. 421-431.
- Padin, C., Ferro, C. and Svensson, G. (2017), “Validity and Reliability of Satisfaction as a Mediator between Quality Constructs in Manufacturer-Supplier Relationships Through Time and Across Contexts”, Journal of Business-to-Business Marketing, Vol. 24, No. 1, pp. 1-17.
- Payan, J. M., Hair, J, Svensson, G., Awuah, G., Andersson, S. (2016), “The Precursor Role of Cooperation, Coordination, and Relationship Investments in a Relationship Model”, Journal of Business-to-Business Marketing, Vol. 23, No. 1, pp. 63-79..
- Ferro, C., Padin, C., Svensson, G. and Payan, J. (2016), “Trust and Commitment as Mediators between Economic and Non-Economic Satisfaction in Manufacturer-Supplier Relationships” Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, Vol. 31, No. 1, pp. 13-23.
- Mpinganjira, M., Bogaards, M. and Svensson, G. and Mysen, T. (2014), “Precursors and Outcomes of Satisfaction in Business Relationships: A Replication Study”, Management Dynamics, Vol. 23, No. 2, pp. 2-13.
- Mpinganjira, M., Bogaards, M. and Svensson, G. and Mysen, T. (2015), “META-RELQUAL Construct Validation: A South African Study”, African Journal of Economic and Management Studies, Vol. 46, No. 4, pp. 453-465.
- Mysen, T., Svensson, G. Rindell, A. and Billström, A. (2015), “‘Antecedents’ and ‘Postcedents’ in Relation to Satisfaction in Norwegian Business Relationships”, International Journal of Procurement Management, Vol. 8, No. 5, pp. 627-642.
- Rindell, A., Mysen, T., Svensson, G. and Billström, A. (2014), “A Validation of Inputs and Outputs of Satisfaction in Business-to-Business Relationships through a Nordic Comparison”, International Journal of Procurement Management, Vol. 6, No. 4, pp. 424-443.
- Bogaards, M., Mpinganjira, M., Svensson, G., Mysen, T. and Padin, C. (2013), ”Satisfaction in Relation to the Metrics of Quality Constructs in South African Manufacturer-Supplier Relationships”, Esic Market Economic and Business Journal, 44, No. 1, pp. 55-71. (181 – English Version)
- Bogaards, M., Mpinganjira, M., Svensson, G., Mysen, T. and Padin, C. (2013), ”La Satisfacción como Indicador de Calidad de Relaciones entre Fabricante y Proveedor en Sudáfrica”, Esic Market Economic and Business Journal, 44, No. 1, pp. 73-90. (181 – Spanish Version)
- Rindell, A., Svensson, G., Mysen, T. and Billström, A. (2014), “Satisfaction as a Mediator between Quality Metrics in Manufacturer-Supplier Relationships”, International Journal of Business Excellence, Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 16-27.
- Svensson, G. Mysen, T., Rindell, A. and Billström, A. (2012), “Validation of a META-RELQUAL construct through a Nordic Comparative Study”, Marketing Intelligence & Planning, Vol. 31, No. 1, pp. 72-87.
- Sosa J. C., Mysen, T. and Svensson, G. (2012), “Constituents of Buyers’ Satisfaction in Puerto Rican Business Relationships”, International Journal Electronic Customer Relationship Management, Vol. 6, No. 2, pp. 193-215.
- Mysen, T., Svensson, G. and Høgevold, N. (2012), “"Relationship Quality – Relationship Value and Power Balance in Business Relationships: Descriptives and Propositions", Journal of Business-to-Business Marketing, Vol. 19, pp. 248-285.
- Sosa, J. C., Svensson, G. and Mysen, T. (2011), ”A Construct of META-RELQUAL in Puerto Rican Business Relationships”, ESIC Market, Vol. 140, pp. 67-95 (English version).
- Sosa, J. C., Svensson, G. and Mysen, T. (2011), ”Constructo META-RELQUAL en las Relaciones de Negocios: Una Aplicacion a las Empresas de Puerto Rico” ESIC Market, Vol. 140, pp. 97-126.
- Hutchinson, D., Singh, J. Svensson, G. and Mysen, T. (2011), “Antecedents and Postcedents of Satisfaction in Business Relationships in Canada”, International Journal of Logistics Economics and Globalisation, 3, No. 4, pp. 189-209.
- Hutchinson, D., Singh, J. Svensson, G. and Mysen, T. (2012), “Inter-Relationships among Focal Dimensions in Relationship Quality: A Quantitative and Exploratory Approach”, International Journal of Procurement Management, Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 229-252.
- Turker Bas, T. Ulgen, A., Svensson, G., Mysen, T. and Keskin, N. (2012), “RELQUAL in Turkish Business Relationships - Theory Testing and Measurement Model”, International Journal of Business Excellence, 5, No. 6, pp. 620-638.
- Mysen, T., Svensson, G. and Lee, T-R (2011), “Trust and Commitment Based Satisfaction and the Impact on Specific Investments, Formalization and Opportunism”, International Journal of Business Excellence, Vol. 4, No. 6, pp. 696-714.
- Hutchinson, D., Singh, J., Mysen, T. and Svensson, G. (2012), “Properties of Quality Constructs in Canadian Business Relationships”, International Journal of Business Excellence, Vol. 5, No. 4, pp. 429-443.
- Svensson, G., Mysen, T. and Payan, J. (2011), “The Key Role of Opportunism in Business Relationships”, Marketing Intelligence & Planning, Vol. 29, No. 4, pp. 436-449.
- Sosa, J. C., Svensson, G. and Mysen, T. (2012), “La Calidad de la Relación en la Cadena de Suministros”, INCAE Business Review, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 2-9.
- Svensson, G., Mysen, T. and Payan, J. (2010), “Balancing the Sequential Logic of Quality Constructs in Manufacturing-Supplier Relationships – Causes and Outcome”, Journal of Business Research, Vol. 63, pp. 1209-1214.
- Mysen, T., Svensson, G. and Payan, J. (2011), “Causes and Outcomes of Satisfaction in Business Relationships”, Marketing Intelligence & Planning, Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 123-140.
- Mysen, T. and Svensson, G. (2011), “A Construct of META-RELQUAL: Measurement Model and Theory Testing”, Baltic Journal of Management, Vol. 6, No. 2, pp. 227 - 244.
- Payan, J. M., Svensson, G., Awuah, G., Andersson, S. and Hair, J. (2010), “A ‘Cross-Cultural RELQUAL-scale’ in Supplier-Distributor Relationships of Sweden and USA”, International Marketing Review, Vol. 45, pp. 336-345.
- Mysen, T. and Svensson, G. (2010), “RELQUAL’s Impact on Satisfaction in Norwegian Business Relationships”, Journal of Business and Industrial Marketing, Vol. 25, No. 2, pp. 119-131.
- Lee, T-R, Svensson, G. and Mysen, T. (2010), “RELQUAL in Taiwanese Business Relationships”, International Journal of Business Excellence, Vol. 3, No. 4, pp. 433-451.
- Svensson, G., Andersson, S., Mysen, T. and Awuah, G. (2009), “A Comparison of Perceived Quality in Business Relationships in Norway and Sweden: Similarities and Differences”, Baltic Journal of Management, Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 7-33.
- Svensson, G. (2006), “Sustainable Quality Management: A Strategic Perspective”, The TQM Magazine, Vol. 18, No. 1, pp. 22-29.
- Svensson, G. (2005), “Leadership Performance in TQM: A Contingency Approach”, The TQM Magazine, 17, No. 6, pp. 527-536.
- Svensson, G. and Wood, G. (2005), “Corporate Ethics in TQM: Management versus Employee Expectations and Perceptions”, The TQM Magazine, 17, No. 2, pp. 137-149.
- Svensson, G. and Wood, G. (2005), “Business Ethics in TQM: the Qualities and Spectrum Zones of a Case Illustration”, The TQM Magazine, Vol. 17, No. 1, pp. 19-34.
Relationship Quality – A Sales Perspective. This research area focuses on quality management in business practices based on a seller perspective. Several articles have so far been produced as follows:
- Ferro-Soto, C., Padin, C., Roberts-Lombard, M., Svensson and Høgevold, N. 2024, “Economic and Non-Economic Satisfaction as Interlocking Constructs in B2B Sales Relationships”, Journal: South African Journal of Business Management. (Forthcoming Issue).
- Ferro, C., Padin, C., Roberts-Lombard, M., Svensson, G. and Høgevold, N. (2024), “The Role of Conflict and Opportunism on the Duality of Satisfaction in B2B Sales Relationships”, European Business Review (Forthcoming Issue).
- Ferro, C., Padin, C., Oteiro-Neira, C. and Svensson, G. (2024), “Modeling Partners' Behavior in Long-lasting B2B Supply Chain Relationships”, Mathematics (Forthcoming Issue).
- Ferro, C., Padin, C., Lubbe, I., Svensson, G. and Høgevold, N. (2024), ”A META-RELQUAL Framework for B2B Sales Partnerships: Empirical Findings from Spain” International Journal of Business Excellence (Forthcoming Issue).
- Ferro, C., Padin, C., Svensson, G. and Høgevold, N. (2024), “The Sequential Logic of Quality Constructs in Sales Business Relationships: Model and Findings”, International Journal of Procurement Management (Forthcoming Issue).
- Høgevold, N., Svensson, G. and Mpinganjira, M. (2023), “A Seller Perspective on Economic and Non-economic Satisfaction as Precursors to Formalisation, Specific Investments, and Dependence in Business Relationships", International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, Vol. 51, No. 3, pp. 281-304.
- Svensson, G., Ferro-Soto, C., Padin, C., and Otero-Neira, C. (2023), “Collaborative B2B Sales Partnerships in Supply Chains: An Integrative Framework of Social and Action Alignment, European Research on Management and Business Economics, Vol. 29, No. 3, Sep-Dec, 100227.
- Ferro-Soto, C., Padin, C., Mpinganjira, M., Svensson, G. and Høgevold, N. (2022), “The Influence of Economic and Non-Economic Satisfaction on Formalization, Specific Investments, and Dependence in B2B Relationships”, Operations and Supply Chain Management, Vol. 15, No. 3, pp. 359-372.
- Ferro, C., Padin, C., Svensson, G. and Høgevold, N. (2023), ”The Role of Trust and Commitment as Mediators between Economic and Non-Economic Satisfaction in Sales Manager B2B Relationships”, Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, 38 No. 1, pp. 235-251.
- Høgevold, N., Rodriguez, R., Svensson, G. and Roberts-Lombard, M. (2022), “Validating the Sequential Logic of Quality Constructs in Seller-Customer Business Relationships – Antecedents, Mediator and Outcomes”, Journal of Business-to-Business Marketing, Vol. 29, No. 1, pp. 43-67.
- Høgevold, N., Svensson and Mpinganjira, M. (2020), “Precursors and Outcomes of Satisfaction in Seller-Customer Business Relationships: A Sales Perspective”, International Journal of Procurement Management, Vol. 13, No. 4, pp. 531-552.
- Høgevold, N., Svensson, G. Mostert, P. and Zietsman, M (2021), “META-RELQUAL in Business Relationships: A Sales Perspective”, International Journal of Business Excellence, Vol. 23, No. 4, pp. 472-497.
- Høgevold, N., Svensson, G. and Roberts-Lombard, M. (2020), “Opportunism and Conflict as Precursors of Non-Economic and Economic Satisfaction Outcomes in Norwegian Seller–Customer Business Relationships”, Journal of Business-to-Business Marketing, Vol. 27, No. 4, pp. 375-395.
- Høgevold, N., Svensson, G. and Roberts-Lombard, M. (2020), “Antecedents and Postcedents of Satisfaction in Seller-Business Relationships: Positive and Negative Alter Egos”, European Business Review, Vol. 33, No. 4, pp. 537-565.
- Høgevold, N., Svensson, G. and Otero-Neiva, C. (2021), “Trust and Commitment as Mediators between Economic and Non-Economic Satisfaction in Business Relationships: A Sales Perspective”, Journal of Business and Industrial Marketing, Vol. 35, No. 11, pp. 1685-1700. (282)
- Høgevold, N., Svensson, G. Mostert, P. and Zietsman, M (2021), “META-RELQUAL in Business Relationships: A Sales Perspective”, International Journal of Business Excellence, Vol. 23, No. 4, pp. 472-497.
- Høgevold, N., Svensson and Mpinganjira, M. (2020), “Precursors and Outcomes of Satisfaction in Seller-Customer Business Relationships: A Sales Perspective”, International Journal of Procurement Management, Vol. 13, No. 4, pp. 531-552.
- Høgevold, N., Svensson, G. and Mpinganjira, M. (2021), “A Seller Perspective on Economic and Non-economic Satisfaction as Precursors to Formalisation, Specific Investments, and Dependence in Business Relationships", International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, Vol. 51, No. 3, pp. 281-304. (295)
- Høgevold, N., Svensson, G. and Mostert, P. (2020), “Continuity, Coordination and Cooperation as Mediators between Economic and Non-Economic Satisfaction – A Sales Perspective”, Journal of Business Economics and Management, Vol. 21, No. 6, pp. 1752-1773.
- Høgevold, N., Svensson, G. and Otero-Neiva, C. (2019), “Validating Action and Social Alignment Constituents of Collaboration in Seller-Customer Business Relationships: A Sales Perspective”, Marketing Intelligence & Planning, Vol. 37, No. 7, pp. 721-740.
- Rodriguez, R., Svensson, G., Román, S. and Wood, G. (2018), “Teleological Sales and Purchase Approaches in Complex Business Relationships – Customers’ Expectations before and Perceptions after Purchase”, Journal of Business and Industrial Marketing, 33 No. 4, pp. 523-538.
- Rodriguez, R., Svensson, G. and Román, S. (2017), “Comparing the Life-Cycles of Service Sales Between Buyers and Sellers in Business Relationships Through a Teleological Lens”, International Journal of Business Excellence, Vol. 15, No. 1, pp. 95-113.
Relationship Quality – Sales and Purchase Perspectives. This research area focuses on quality management in management and business practices based on both seller and buyer perspectives. Several articles have so far been produced as follows:
- Guan, J-L., Lee, T-R., R, Moistert, P., Svensson, G. and Høgevold, N. (2023), "A nomological framework of antecedents and postcedents to satisfaction in purchase and sales business relationships", Journal of Contemporary Marketing Science, Vol. 6 No. 1, pp. 46-63.
- Guan, J-L., Lee, T-R., Roberts-Lombard, M, Svensson, G. and Høgevold, N. (2022), “Exploring Opportunism, Conflict, Non-economic Satisfaction and Economic Satisfaction in a B2B Context – A Buyer and Seller Perspective”, South African Journal of Business Management, Vol 53, No. 1, pp. 33-46.
- Guan, J-L., Lee, T-R., Otero-Neira, C., Svensson, G. and Høgevold, N. (2021), “Action and Social Alignment Constituents of Collaboration in Business Relationships: Buyer and Seller Perspectives”, Journal of Relationship Marketing, pp.1-32.