Exit is an inevitable part of any business relationship. However, despite its importance, exit in buyer–supplier relationships is still a poorly understood phenomenon. Building on previous studies, this thesis addressed these concerns by empirically: a) identifying the economic and social antecedents that influence the exit decision; and b) validating how the antecedents of exit are related with the choice of exit strategies. To achieve these objectives, first, a systematic literature review was conducted to identify 82 studies that documented existing research on exit in buyer–supplier relationships. Second, informed by Transaction Cost Economics and Social Exchange Theory, a set of 88 testable hypotheses was developed and a survey captured data from 505 recently terminated relationships involving UK based firms. Finally, for data analysis, statistical techniques were employed including: a) analysis of variance; b) independent sample t–tests; c) multiple logistic regression; and d) multi–nomial logistic regression. The empirical findings of this thesis validated that: a) there are 8 economic and 14 social antecedents that influence the exit decision; b) lending support to extant research on exit, 57 hypotheses were accepted; c) 12 multiple logit models confirmed the relationship between a set of antecedents and exit strategies; and d) 6 multinomial logit models validated the relationship between a set of antecedents and a choice of one exit strategy over another. The results suggest that the influence of antecedents on the choice of exit strategies was subject to how the antecedents were analysed. The contributions of this research to Supply Chain Management literature are that we know now: a) which economic and social antecedents influence the exit decision; b) how individual antecedents affect exit strategies; c) how antecedents combine to affect exit strategies; and d) how antecedents combine to affect the choice of one exit strategy over another. This work provides an exit management tool box comprising a combination of data collection instrument, empirically derived framework and models that enables the managers to timely review the strength and weaknesses of their business relationships and their management processes.

No contexto atual do ambiente empresarial, a gestão da cadeia de suprimentos surge como um veículo através do qual as empresas podem obter vantagem competitiva. As empresas passaram a ser instadas a alterar o modelo tradicional de relacionamento distante e de curto prazo - mercado puro, com seus fornecedores, por uma relação colaborativa de longo prazo - parceria. A literatura relevante sobre parceria destaca uma série de atributos e características que devem estar presentes neste tipo de relacionamento, para que as empresas possam atingir os resultados a que se propuseram. Nesta pesquisa, desenvolve-se uma análise da literatura relevante em gestão de cadeia de suprimentos e gestão de relacionamentos, e apresenta-se um modelo conceitual, desenvolvido por Mohr e Spekman e revisitado pelo autor, que expõe os fatores associados a parcerias de sucesso. Um estudo de caso foi realizado, durante o ano de 2006, mostrando a evolução do modelo de relacionamento entre fabricante e fornecedor, em uma indústria aeronáutica brasileira, buscando verificar a presença ou não das características do modelo apresentado. O resultado do estudo gera a percepção de que, embora tenha havido uma evolução no relacionamento fabricante-fornecedor em direção ao modelo colaborativo, ainda existe um bom caminho a ser trilhado pela empresa para atingir a relação de parceria preconizada pelo modelo referencial utilizado neste trabalho. / In the current context of enterprise environmental, supply chain management appear as a vehicle through which a company can get competitive advantage. Companies started to be pushed to change the traditional far away and short term relationship model - arm\'s length - with their suppliers for a long term collaborative relation - partnership. The relevant literature about partnership points out a series of attributes and characteristics that should be present in this kind of relationship in order to allow companies to attain proposed results. This research develops an analysis of relevant literature concerning supply chain management and relationship management, and provides a conceptual model, developed by Mohr and Spekman and revisited by this author, that shows the factors associated with successful partnership. A case study is dropped, during 2006, showing the evolution of such buyer-supplier relationship model, in a Brazilian aerospace industry, searching to verify the presence or not of those attributes presented in the conceptual model. Results from the study generates a perception that, although have been noticed an evolution on buyer-supplier relationship toward the collaborative model, there is a long way ahead to meet the partnership referenced at the conceptual model presented in this study.

Research indicates buyer-supplier collaborations in new product development (NPD) can have a positive impact on innovation. From a knowledge based view, it is argued that suppliers add a complementary knowledge base that is combined with the buyer’s knowledge. But what does the supplier contribution actually consist of? And more importantly: How is this supplier knowledge integrated into the NPD process? This is not clear in the literature. Different supplier inputs may imply different knowledge integration mechanisms and practices. The purpose of this licentiate thesis is to investigate how supplier knowledge is integrated into the NPD process. The focus is to explore how knowledge intensive manufacturing firms integrate different supplier inputs in collaborative NPD projects by using different knowledge integration mechanisms. To fulfil the aim of thesis a qualitative approach has been applied and by studying NPD processes in three industrial sectors. An extensive literature review and a focus group meeting are followed by two qualitative case studies that are based mainly on interviews with keyrepresentatives in the buyer-supplier collaborations. The first study investigates different supplier contributions by categorizing different supplier inputs. The second study – which is the largest part of the overall study - investigates how supplier knowledge is integrated in NPD collaborations using different integration mechanisms. Here, six NPD collaborations, representing the automotive, the energy, and the telecom sectors, are studied and compared, in order to understand the integration processes and the different knowledge integration mechanisms. The third study investigates the role of trust in capturing supplier knowledge. Here, two NPD collaborations which can be considered to be polar-cases in terms of scope and depth are compared in order to explore and explain the role of trust in the integration processes. Altogether these studies lay a foundation for a model of knowledge integration between the buyer and the supplier in NPD collaborations. The model identifies two main strategies for integrating supplier knowledge – knowledge absorption and joint knowledge accumulation. Knowledge absorption concerns innovation processes where the contribution from suppliers is focused on product- and process improvements, i.e. incremental input. Here, the development is dictated by clear specifications. Supplier contacts take place during a limited period of time and are restricted to certain phases in NPD projects. Thus, the main knowledge integration mechanism used is sequencing. In these situations, the buyer actually tries to capture and absorb the knowledge of the supplier at a specific point in the process. A basic level of trust, based on the reputation the supplier has for competence is sufficient. Joint knowledge accumulation, on the other hand, is how firms manage more radical input from suppliers, such as new technology or new design. In these cases, knowledge integration strategies extend over a longer period of time, throughout several phases of the NPD project. There is a high degree of interaction between the people involved, to find new solutions. The main knowledge integration mechanism is group problem-solving. Knowledge is jointly accumulated by sharing, combining, and creating new knowledge in open processes. In these cases, a profound level of trust is required. When integrating supplier knowledge in innovation, management has to consider the possible and preferred outcome of the collaboration; it might be a commercial deal to provide for a temporary access to knowledge, or it might be a long-term alliance, where joint learning is an aim. In the first case, a traditional NPD process with clear specifications, using sequencing and technological interfaces, will be adequate. In the second case, focus should be on interpersonal problem solving between trustworthy individuals.

No description available.

In this research, we explore the impact of international buyer-supplier relationships on sustainability practices in the Ready-Made Garments (RMG) industry, concentrating specifically on the context of Bangladesh. The root of this investigation centers around unpacking the influence of global business interconnectivity on operational approaches at the supplier juncture, with a specific emphasis on sustainability. Two core research queries were set as the guiding posts for this investigation: (1) What is the impact of international buyer-supplier relationships on sustainable practices in the RMG sector of Bangladesh? and (2) How do different types of buyer-supplier relationships influence this impact? Drawing from the theoretical discourse, the study ventured to hypothesize those certain elements of international buyer-supplier relationships - the relational dynamics, enduring alliances, and the commitment of international buyers to sustainability - have a positive bearing on sustainable practices within the Bangladeshi RMG industry. To provide empirical support to these assumptions, a quantitative study involving 66 managers working within Bangladesh's RMG industry was undertaken. Utilizing covariance-based descriptive statistics as our analytical tool, we proceeded to examine the validity of our hypotheses. The findings provided a resounding confirmation, highlighting that attributes like trust, commitment, open communication, and long-term partnerships favorably influence the incorporation of sustainable practices. Moreover, it was observed that the commitment of international buyers to sustainability, demonstrated through the enforcement of standards and initiatives to support suppliers, has a substantial influence on suppliers' operational strategies, elbowing them towards the adoption of sustainable and ethical business practices. These insights shed light on how international buyer-supplier relationships impact global trading dynamics and underscore the intensifying significance of sustainability in modern business ethics. This research extends the theoretical discourse on international business, supply chain management, and sustainability. Additionally, it offers pragmatic insights for managers operating within Bangladesh's RMG industry, accentuating the necessity to cultivate enduring, trust- centric relationships with international buyers and to align their operational strategies with the global shift towards sustainable business practices.

This paper examines risks that arise from buyer-manufacturer relationships from Malaysian garment manufacturers' perspectives. In addition, the risk management techniques used to handle these risks are studied and cross-examined. The nature of the relationship is also discussed in relation to the risks and risk management techniques identified. Design/methodology/approach: This thesis is based on a deductive research approach. Two research questions are answered with the help of six semi-structured in-depth interviews with managers at Malaysian garment factories and a thematic analysis. Findings: The most significant risk associated with the relationship is late payments. The most common risk management technique to minimize this risk is to demand deposits before production starts. The nature of the relationship between the manufacturer and their customers plays a substantial role in the types of risks faced by manufacturers and their use of risk management techniques. Research implications: The managerial implications are that garment manufacturers can learn from other manufacturers’ risks and risk management techniques to improve their own business and act proactively. The research question of this report sheds light on the hidden field of the effects of purchasing practitioners' decision-making and can inspire future research. Originality/value: This study explores a topic from a perspective that has not been studied before. The research role, given that we are young students, has offered unfiltered and unique data which gives the results high value.

Background: The importance of transitioning to a more sustainable and circular production and consumption model is growing, with the looming threat of climate change. The supply chains (SC) are at the foreground of this change, with the linear model as a polluter of magnitude. Transitioning to a circular supplychain (CSC) is a massive undertaking, and barriers may arise between SC partners embracing this significant change. However, the literature is vague on which barriers are significant within buyer-supplier collaboration and how to address and overcome the barriers that may stand in the way of implementing CSCs. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis to explore to investigate how to support circularity implementation in SCs through dyadic buyer-supplier collaboration. By exploring the collaboration barriers presented in academic literature, this study aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of which barriers can arise during collaboration when implementing circularity in the SC, while linking relevant actions to address these barriers. Thereby providing new insights to practitioners who wish to implement circularity in their SC. Method: A multiple case study method with four interior textile companies were studied with the help of collaboration barriers when implementing CE in the SC from existing literature. By using a qualitative research approach, data was collected through ten interviews. Conclusion: Five major barriers occur in buyer-supplier collaboration when implementing circularity in the SC within the case companies. Including (1) lack of shared vision, (2) lack of commitment, (3) lack of capable suppliers, (4) lack of transparency, (5) and lack of power balance between buyer-supplier. To address the five barriers, five action groups emerged from the case companies, (1) communication, (2) supplier engagement, (3) education, (4) addressing cultural differences, and lastly (5) long-term commitment. These barriers and actions are matched to each other in a framework and summarizes the finding of this study.

No description available.

This thesis looks at the challenges of establishing environmentally sustainable supply chains in Swedish Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through the lens of buyer-supplier relationships. Despite SMEs' important role in innovation and employment, there is little research on sustainability in this sector, particularly on buyer-supplier dynamics. Existing literature emphasizes the potential benefits of strong buyer-supplier relationships but does not investigate into their role in SME sustainability efforts. This study aims to fill this gap and provide insights into the barriers to sustainable supply chain development in Swedish SMEs. It aims to educate policymakers and practitioners about the importance of fostering long-term partnerships within SME supply chains. The purpose of this study is to explore how buyer-supplier relationships influence sustainable practices in the supply chains of Swedish SMEs. Utilizing qualitative research methods, the research involved interviews with multiple SMEs to gather insights into the dynamics of these relationships and their effect on sustainability efforts. The study examines the role of trust, communication, and mutual sustainability goals in strengthening these relationships. The findings indicate that robust, trust-based buyer-supplier relationships are essential for fostering sustainable supply chain practices. Such relationships enable better collaboration, which is crucial for SMEs aiming to overcome limitations related to their size and bargaining power. The study also shows that a variety of factors influence SMEs' efforts to become more environmentally sustainable. Examples include industry, customer and supplier size, and new regulations. This thesis contributes to the literature by describing specific challenges and effective practices relevant to Swedish SMEs and suggests that enhancing the quality of buyer-supplier interactions can significantly impact their sustainability outcomes. Practical recommendations are offered for SMEs to optimize their supply chain sustainability, highlighting the importance of strategic partnerships in achieving environmental goals.

The competitive market of today is characterized by globalization, because of that organizations increased demands from customers on the services as well as on product. In other word, the customer is focusing on buying the service in same way as they buy products. For that the trust in relationships is considered as an important and effective factor when the business to business partners want to achieve growth profitability, and long term time. In order to reach high trust in relationships between customers and suppliers, ability to measure trust in relationships and to improve it is important. One to know how to be able to follow up the trust in the relationships between customers and suppliers, maintain and develop relationships for as long as possible in order to reach the company's goals. The first step in the project was data collection via an email survey and by direct contact with those companies by phone. Then the data was used to make an analysis by comports the results with pervious theories. The analysis enabled to identify the different types of factors which makes the trust in relationships more strong and stable .In the last chapters results are discussed and it was found that the each company has its own way to follow up the relationships to maintain the trust in relationships for longer  time to a achieve their goals and profit. The conclusions are each company have different way of measuring and regardless of which indicators are used for measuring the trust in relationships between the customer and service supplier, they must be  linked directly to the organization's  goals to maintain and  continuity relationships for as long as possible in order to reach the company's goals. The effective trust is important factor which lead to the partners feeling they belong to each other’s which the relationships between them  take a partner form which lead to long term time and profitable relationships and strong trust in relationships.