In recent years, many companies have come to recognize the crucial role that purchasing and materials management activities play in determining overall corporate performance. Of main concern in many companies is the supplier development program. To examine the role of supplier development in the...

Examines the application of electronic commerce (EC) in a cross‐cultural context. The problems likely to be encountered by a Chinese organization are analysed and interpreted in terms of conflicting cultural values. The costs associated with EC are also analyzed and two new costs, technology...

The relationships between buyers and suppliers have received considerable attention in recent years. Traditionally, buyer‐supplier relationships were considered as adversarial, arm’s‐length transactions. However, this relationship is moving towards a more collaborative approach. This...

The objective of this paper is to examine changes in the European car industry and in particular the impact these changes are having on the car makers and their relationships with their suppliers. With excess production capacity and the poor outlook for car sales, the European car industry...

Illustrates that the make or buy is a strategic decision and has implications for the overall corporate strategy of the organization by describing a model which involves analysing a number of strategic factors. In recent years, many companies have been moving significantly away from “making”...