In the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the textile industry faced significant challenges regarding the SC. The importance of managing the relationship between the supplier and buyer was crucial in order to cope with the disruption in the SC. The textile industry implemented measures to manage and minimize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there was a crucial missing link between the disruption and how or if the relationship between the buyer and supplier changed. The thesis aims to explore and investigate how Swedish-based fashion textile SC actors (buyers and suppliers) can manage the relationship in the SC and what factors can be identified that characterize a change. Further, the thesis examines the relationship between buyer and supplier, with emphasis on what relationship management factors have changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The thesis is based on Swedish companies, having a global textile value chain. To satisfy the purpose of this study, a qualitative method with a deductive approach was implemented. The data gathering consisted of primary data, including three semi-structured interviews with two buyer representatives and one supplier representative. Additionally, a literature review was conducted to complement the primary data. The analysis is based on exploring and comparing the themes found in the primary data and the literature review regarding the factors characterizing the change in the relationship between the buyer and the supplier. The common characteristics found in the literature review and primary data indicated the change in the relationship between supplier and buyer during the COVID-19 pandemic. It could be identified that trust and communication strengthened the collaboration between suppliers and buyers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Flexibility was further a factor that characterized a positive change in the relationship because of the deeper understanding between the supplier and the buyer during the pandemic. In contrast to the findings from the interviews, the relationship factor “power” was prominent in the literature review with the characteristic of changing the relationship. However, power was not central in the interviews as a factor enabling changes. The practical implication of this study highlights the importance of the relationship between a supplier and buyer, especially the relationship during a disruption, as the textile SC is complex, and the actors are interconnected. Multiple factors can characterize the change in the relationship. In the thesis, two relationship factors were prominent from the literature and interviews, collaboration, and flexibility. Suppliers and buyers in the textile industry can use the result of this study to improve and understand the relationship factors that can characterize a change in the relationship during a pandemic disruption.

由於國際連鎖速食業地區經營者（Market Operator）的主要資本投入，包括：原料採購、餐飲設備投資、設計裝修、人員訓練、以及租用不動產時，都牽扯到被陷入或轉換成本偏高的問題，以致對於既有資源供應商之續約談判時處於不利的地位。 　　本研究主要從交易成本理論、陷入成本及專屬資產、買賣方之交易關係等理論解析國際連鎖速食店的地區經營者提高取得上述資源的議價能力（Bargaining Power）的管理策略，並透過業界專家實證其可行性。 　　經研究結果顯示，國際速食連鎖業地區經營者可以從「降低專屬陷入成本的投入」、「促使主要供應商投入專屬資產」、「善用其他交易影響者的力量」等三個方向來提高議價能力，並可根據資源特性的不同，而採取不同的策略行動。