A review of recent changes in buyer-supplier relations

Abstract

This paper provides a review of recent changes in buyer-supplier relations. We comment on the apparently changing nature of industrial transactions and the move towards a new model of buyer-supplier relations based on closer interfirm collaboration, quality assurance, and flexible delivery systems. In distinction to those who claim a break has been made with past industrial practices, our review of the fragmentary evidence indicates that the adoption and implementation of new buyer-supplier relations is, at best, partial. We also comment on some of the constraints which are inhibiting the development of buyer-supplier practices.