Title: Collaborative and ethical consideration in the vendor selection process

Authors: Terry Damron; Amye Melton; Alan D. Smith

Addresses: Department of Marketing, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN 37044, USA ' Department of Management, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN 37044, USA ' Department of Marketing, Robert Morris University, Pittsburgh, PA 15219-3099, USA

Abstract: Few doubt the importance of supplier collaboration and integration decisions faced by management, as both supply chain management (SCM) and inventory management are critical to operations efficiency and global competitiveness. These strategic variables include extent of coordination from suppliers, the degree of information sharing with suppliers, and the level of organisational integration. Lean production principles alone may fail to synchronise with customer demand when companies need to develop long-term supplier relationships. Underpinning these relations is an expectation of socially and ethically responsible behaviour on the part of suppliers. Using a qualitative case-study method, the present study explored the importance of supplier relationships with H.J. Heinz and American Eagle Outfitters, as both firms have worked with their partners to ensure social and ethical responsibility.

Keywords: automatic identification; data capture; AIDC; business ethics; case study; green SCM; supply chain management; GSCM; operations strategy; supplier collaboration; supplier integration; supply chain technologies; vendor selection; inventory management; information sharing; buyer-supplier relationships; H.J. Heinz; American Eagle Outfitters; corporate social responsibility; CSR; ethical responsibility.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPMB.2016.077627

International Journal of Process Management and Benchmarking, 2016 Vol.6 No.3, pp.404 - 418

Received: 02 Mar 2015
Accepted: 05 Mar 2015
Published online: 07 Jul 2016 *

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