Title: A service oriented framework for designing buyer supplier relations

Authors: Werner Wetzlinger; Jörg Schweiger; Gerold Wagner; Christian Neumann

Addresses: School of Management, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, Wehrgrabengasse 1-3, 4400 Steyr, Austria ' Department of Industrial Management, FH JOANNEUM, University of Applied Sciences, Werk-VI-Straße 46, 8605 Kapfenberg, Austria ' School of Management, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, Wehrgrabengasse 1-3, 4400 Steyr, Austria ' Department of Industrial Management, FH JOANNEUM, University of Applied Sciences, Werk-VI-Straße 46, 8605 Kapfenberg, Austria

Abstract: In order to stay competitive in the global market, a common strategy of industrial enterprises is focusing on the company's core competences and reducing the depth of (own) added value. As a consequence, suppliers have a chance to differentiate themselves from competitors and gain competitive advantages by providing additional services that reduce the management effort on the customer side. In this contribution a holistic framework for suppliers is presented that supports them to carry out services to establish and continuously improve buyer-supplier relationships. This includes finding the appropriate collaboration concept (e.g., VMI, JiT, and JiS) for different material requirements and designing the implementation using a standardised process framework that includes information and communication technologies.

Keywords: category management; procurement; business integration; supply chain management; SCM; supply chain integration; business process modelling; service oriented framework; buyer-supplier relationship; supply chain collaboration; ICT; information and communication technology; information technology; materials requirements.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSEM.2013.051858

International Journal of Services, Economics and Management, 2013 Vol.5 No.1/2, pp.93 - 111

Received: 02 Jun 2012
Accepted: 16 Oct 2012
Published online: 30 Apr 2014 *

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