CUSTOMER & CORE TECHNOLOGY SUPPLIERS: SOME UPSTREAM SUPPLY CHAIN EVIDENCES FROM CONSUMER ELECTRONICS & DURABLE INDUSTRY IN OMAN

Abstract

The paper intends to find the specific factors about the supplier/manufacturer’s that are of concern to the customer in the wider supply chain network. It will also study how these factors affect the sales of CED products. This paper portrays the beliefs of customer about the upstream supplier/ manufacturer and its influence on the sale of white goods and consumer electronics in Oman by using a questionnaire containing questions about the supplier/ manufacturer. Discriminant analysis has been used for predicting a function that throws light on the likely sales. The model was successful in finding a discriminating function that throws light on the effect of supplier/ manufacturer’s profile on the sales of CED products in Oman region. It was able to predict the effect of the specific factors about the supplier/manufacturer’s on the prospective sales of CED products. The sample survey had been administered to 120 customers chosen randomly, 60 from Hyper Markets and 60 from specialized stores in Oman dealing with CED products. Many researchers have dealt with the supply chain problems pertaining to transportation and inventory for the upstream activities. Procurement problems are also taken up but from the perspective of manufacturer. This paper is an attempt to deal with procurement issues from the perspective of the customer.