Purpose - The purpose of this study is to analyse the role of relational
power/dependent asymmetries and symmetries in shaping socially
responsible supply chain management, whilst also examining how these
issues are moderated by geographical distance between buyer and
supplier. Design/methodology/approach - The study draws on data from 339
buyer-supplier relationships, and the authors use a set of regression
models to test their hypotheses. Findings - Joint dependency positively
influences socially responsible supply chain management, whilst supplier
power constrains it. Both joint dependency and buyer power become
increasingly important determinants of socially responsible supply chain
management as geographic distance increases. Research
limitations/implications - Further work is needed to examine the
conditions under which organisations will exercise their power advantage
or their joint dependence position to improve socially responsible
processes in the supply chain, as there may be situations where the
buyer chooses not to exercise their power positions. Practical
implications - The authors' results indicate that jointly dependent
relationships create the best conditions for socially responsible supply
chain management, but they also find that supplier power advantage can
constrain such initiatives. Originality/value - This is the first paper
to systematically analyse the implementation of socially responsible
supply chain management, within a model that considers power a/symmetric
positions of the buyer-supplier relationship, and the role of
geographical distance as a moderating influence on these power
positions.