Sources of Power: Their Impact on Intrachannel Conflict

The sources of power that auto manufacturers use to obtain control over their dealer network are shown to have a significant impact on the level of conflict that dealers have with their manufacturers. Coercive sources tend to increase the level of intrachannel conflict whereas noncoercive sources tend to decrease it. Auto manufacturers need to be cognizant of this fact in order to use intelligently their available sources of power.