Investigating the meaning of supplier‐manufacturer partnerships: An exploratory study
Lemke, Fred Goffin, Keith Szwejczewski, Marek
Lemke, Fred
Goffin, Keith
Szwejczewski, Marek
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Publication Type
Journal article with impact factor
Editor
Supervisor
Publication Year
2003
Journal
International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management
Book
Publication Volume
33
Publication Issue
1
Publication Begin page
12
Publication End page
35
Publication NUmber of pages
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Abstract
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 advantages that it can bring but far less has been published on the attributes of partnership itself. What is known is that partnerships are “close” relationships and thus, the level of relationship closeness is an appropriate angle for exploring supplier partnerships. Research was conducted using the repertory grid technique with an exploratory sample of ten managers from four German engineering companies. It revealed that supplier partnerships are very different from other forms of relationship and identified five distinct attributes of partnerships. These findings have a number of implications for both practitioners and researchers.
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Keywords
Partnerships, Suppliers, Management, Supply Chain, Manufacturing