Title: Successful supplier integration in the Chinese automotive industry: a theoretical framework

Authors: Martin Lockstrom, Joachim Schadel, Roger Moser, Norma J. Harrison

Addresses: BMW-SMI Centre for Purchasing and Supply Management, China Europe International Business School, Hongfeng Rd. 699, Shanghai 201206, China. ' European Business School (EBS), Supply Chain Management Institute SMI, Soehnleinstrasse 8F, Wiesbaden 65201, Germany. ' European Business School (EBS), Supply Chain Management Institute SMI, Soehnleinstrasse 8F, Wiesbaden 65201, Germany. ' Macquarie Graduate School of Management, China Europe International Business School, Hongfeng Rd. 699, Pudong, Shanghai 201206, China

Abstract: This paper seeks to develop a supplier integration framework in a Chinese context based on existing theories and empirical insights from the Chinese automotive industry. The objective is to develop a framework and identify a number of factors that can potentially facilitate supplier integration and ultimately improve supply chain performance. The framework comprises a causal chain with four key constructs, starting with supply chain leadership as an antecedent to alliance readiness, which in turn is proposed to yield a higher degree of supplier integration. Eventually, a higher degree of supplier integration is proposed to positively influence supply chain performance. By building on prior research and 30 case studies, the framework provides a China-specific approach to supplier integration and offers insights into the current status in the Chinese automotive industry.

Keywords: supplier integration; China; automobile industry; collaborative relationships; leadership; collaboration; performance improvement; causal chains; alliance readiness; automotive companies; integrated SCM; supply chain management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISM.2010.033978

International Journal of Integrated Supply Management, 2010 Vol.5 No.3, pp.260 - 283

Received: 06 May 2009
Accepted: 06 Jan 2010
Published online: 05 Jul 2010 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article