Purpose: The purpose of this work is to demonstrate the existence of a number of structural mechanisms that networks actors use to exert tacit power in the GMVNs.

Design/methodology/approach: The analysis of the engine manufacturing aeronautical industry based on a quantitative approach with a binomial logistic model with a logit function.

Findings and Originality/value: Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) exert a tacit power by occupying central positions in the network and having many structural holes. Suppliers, nevertheless, establish many strong and direct ties to increase trust with other network actors; while new actors establish, primarily, indirect ties to gain explicit knowledge.

Research limitations/implications: Another similar works focused in other industrial segments like electronics, chemical o automotive would strengthen the findings of this work.

Practical implications: The results of this work can facilitate, ex ante, the design of new GMVNs and increase drastically their efficiency.

Originality/value: It classifies the internal operations of these organizations that, so far, were not analysed under this approach. Its conclusions can be used as a prescriptive model for other manufacturing networks.