Effective management of suppliers is one of the ways manufacturing companies can improve their performance. Typically, it has been argued in the literature that close relationships with suppliers should be developed, in contrast to the traditional price-driven transactional relationships....

Supplier partnerships can be the key in enhancing the performance of manufacturing companies. Consequently, partnership has been strongly recommended by academics and practitioners alike. Surprisingly, the concept of partnership is only poorly understood. Many authors have identified the...

Streamlining the supplier base is a common approach in many US and UK manufacturing companies. However, is this approach being adopted in Germany as fast as it has in the UK? This paper describes research that answers this question and investigates how German companies are managing contacts with...

A key issue for manufacturers is supplier management, i.e. organising the optimal flow of high quality, value-for-money materials or components from appropriate innovative suppliers. Many companies now recognise the central role that supplier management plays in achieving long-term competitive...

A key issue for manufacturers is supplier management, i.e. organising theoptimal flow of high quality, value-for-money materials or components fromappropriate innovative suppliers. Many companies now recognise the central rolethat supplier management plays in achieving long-term competitive...

Supplier partnerships can be the key in enhancing the performance ofmanufacturing companies. Consequently, partnership has been strongly recommendedby academics and practitioners alike. Surprisingly, the concept of partnershipis only poorly understood. Many authors have identified the advantages...

Streamlining the supplier base is a common approach in many US and UKmanufacturing companies. However, is this approach being adopted in Germany asfast as it has in the UK? This paper describes research that answers thisquestion and investigates how German companies are managing contacts with...

Customer support, such as equipment maintenance and repair, is an essentialelement in the successful marketing of a wide range of products, from computersystems to domestic appliances. Consequently, companies need to establish andmaintain appropriate channels for high-quality customer support;...