An approach to address principal supplier development impediments

Reviewing and conceptualizing supplier development

Purpose

The literature on supplier development (SD) is mostly fragmented, and very little research offers insights on the interrelations of the critical elements of SD. This research aims to evaluate the significance of SD and reconceptualise it by identifying and linking the key constructs and items of SD.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured literature review of SD literature was performed, and it was followed by conducting a contingency analysis of defined constructs and the items of SD. Applying a literature review and contingency analysis allows assessing the degree to which core constructs and their operational items are addressed in the SD literature.

Findings

Our findings show that a high degree of interrelations exists among enablers, relationships and supplier development strategies (SDS), of which, only indirect SDS drives the performance outcomes. However, interrelations between the individual items of the main categories of SD remain unexplored.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed revised framework reveals significant research gaps in SD and calls for a thorough examination of the topic.

Originality/value

The key contribution of the paper is reconceptualising SD and contributing to the theoretical development of SD.

Measuring interdependencies of preferred supplier enablers

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze preferred supplier enablers (PSEs) and measure the interdependencies among themselves for enhancing preferred supplier relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

In the current study, an approach has been developed in which the significance of various PSEs was determined by applying Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) and the prominent PSEs were screened out through Pareto analysis. Also, the interdependence among the prominent PSEs was measured by applying the Fuzzy Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory method in order to select the right PSEs in ascribing the Preferred Supplier Status. Finally, the weakest relationships among the PSEs were confirmed by applying the student’s t-test and then an impact relationship map of PSEs was developed.

Findings

The strength of relationships among the PSEs, grouping of PSEs into causes and effects on a causal diagram and a concise impact relationship map of PSEs were determined. Further, the PSEs that a manufacturer must primarily focus and monitor were also obtained.

Research limitations/implications

The study was conducted in an Indian electronic manufacturing environment. Therefore, the results obtained would be more relevant to the high end technology product manufacturers operating in the developing countries.

Practical implications

From the current study, a manufacturer can alleviate, favorably associate and integrate with the good suppliers and then eventually establish a strong supply base.

Originality/value

Manufacturers are looking for the closer and favored relationships by bringing in the concept of preferred supplier while dealing with their key suppliers. Thus, the results obtained from the current study would be of great assistance to a manufacturer in gaining an extra cutting-edge and, in turn, tackling the increased competitive pressures and reduced availability of resources.