Supply Chain Relationship Quality Research Articles

The impact of supply chain relationship quality on cooperative strategy

This paper focuses on the construct of supply chain relationship quality (SCRQ) and the influence of SCRQ on cooperative strategy. In this paper, we first conceptualize SCRQ from manufacturer-based perspective using interaction approach. Second, we introduce cooperative strategy as a research construct to reflect the strategies both parties took in the further development of business relationships, and use persistence, frequency, and diversity to represent three features of cooperative strategy. A conceptual model incorporating SCRQ and cooperative strategy is examined with data collected from 311 manufacturing firms in West China. The results indicate that SCRQ can be defined as a construct of communication, cooperation, trust, adaptation, and atmosphere, and SCRQ has a significant positive impact on relationship persistence, relationship frequency, and relationship diversity.

The effect of relationship characteristics on relationship quality and performance

In this paper, we develop a model of relationship characteristics (duration, presence of supplier awards, degree of product standardisation/customisation, tier position), supply chain (SC) relationship quality and SC performance. We use data from the electronics sector in Ireland to test our model. Our results provide mixed support for the model, with the effects of both duration and supplier awards being supported but degree of product standardisation/customisation and SC tier position not supported. We reflect on these findings and suggest a research agenda based on our results.

Supply chain relationship quality, the competitive environment and performance

In today's competitive environment, it is supply chains (SC) rather than companies that compete. Empirical research in the area of SC relationships have primarily sought to explain the nature of relationship processes rather than their effect on performance. However, the impact of SC relationship quality on SC performance has received less attention in the literature. Furthermore, the nature of the competitive environment can vary greatly across different supply chains. As such it is appropriate to consider whether or not the effect of SC relationship quality on SC performance is monotonic across different competitive environments. Accordingly, this paper investigates if SC relationship quality has an impact on SC performance quality and whether or not the competitive environment moderates this relationship.

The impact of supply chain relationship quality on quality performance

There is a considerable body of scholarly work focusing on the interaction between the various dimensions of supply chain (SC) relationships (such as trust, commitment, adaptation, communication and collaboration) but far less on the impact of SC relationships on performance. There has also been a considerable body of empirical research that has examined the impact of quality practices on quality performance. However, the effect of SC relationships on quality performance has received less attention. Accordingly, this paper considers (a) whether or not it is possible to measure the multi-dimensional nature of SC relationships and (b) if so, what is the effect of SC relationships on quality performance? To address these questions, we developed a conceptual framework incorporating dimensions of SC relationships and quality performance. The model was tested with data collected from 200 suppliers in the electronics sector in the Republic of Ireland. Our findings provide considerable support for our conceptual model.

Environmental uncertainty, supply chain relationship quality and performance

Environmental uncertainty is a fact of life in today's supply chains. In this paper we develop a model of environmental uncertainty, supply chain (SC) relationship quality and SC performance. We use data from the electronics sector in Ireland to test our model. Our results provide mixed support for the model, with the moderating role of both demand and supply uncertainty being supported, but technological uncertainty not supported. We reflect on these findings and suggest a research agenda based on our results.