The Effect of Relational Resources on Supply Chain Robustness: The Moderating Role of Relational Capital

Increasing supply chain disruptions have intensified the need for firms to develop capabilities that support operational continuity and effective responses to uncertainty. Although previous studies have examined supply chain robustness through operational and technological perspectives, limited attention has been given to how relational resources influence robustness and how relational capital shapes these relationships. This study examines the effects of resource complementarity and resource specificity on supply chain robustness and investigates the direct and moderating roles of relational capital among firms in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted using structured questionnaires administered to supply chain managers. Of the 384 questionnaires distributed, 296 valid responses were used for analysis. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was performed using SmartPLS. Resource complementarity positively influenced supply chain robustness (β = 0.714, p < 0.001), whereas resource specificity had a significant negative association with robustness (β = −0.305, p = 0.022). Relational capital had a positive direct effect on robustness (β = 0.618, p < 0.001). It also positively moderated the relationship between resource complementarity and robustness (β = 0.292, p < 0.001) and negatively moderated the relationship between resource specificity and robustness (β = −0.197, p = 0.012). The study concludes that relational resources contribute significantly to supply chain robustness, but their effects depend on the nature of the resources and the relational conditions surrounding their use. Firms should strengthen collaboration and combine complementary partner resources while managing relationship-specific investments carefully to avoid unnecessary constraints on operational flexibility.