Title: Examining the roles of suppliers in large scale system integration using coordination theory: an exploratory study

Authors: Ik-Whan G. Kwon, Seong-Jong Joo, Seock-Jin Hong

Addresses: John Cook School of Business, Saint Louis University, 3674 Lindell Boulevard, St. Louis, Missouri 63108, USA. ' Hasan School of Business, Colorado State University-Pueblo, 2200 Bonforte Blvd., Pueblo, CO 81001, USA. ' Bordeaux Management School, 680 cours de la Liberation, 33405 Talence Cedex, France

Abstract: As more original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) engage in large scale system integration (LSSI) for various reasons, the roles of suppliers (both in general and critical/strategic parts in particular) have changed significantly from simple suppliers/vendors to strategic partners. Such a transition also changes the dynamics of the supply chain relationship in several ways; areas of power structures among supply chain partners, responsibility of quality assessment, division of equity building, assessing and sharing risk management, proprietary protection and managing the sub-tier suppliers. Although LSSI has been used for many years in different industries, studies in LSSI from the supply chain prospective are rare. In fact no systematic studies have been carried out. Based on a coordination theory, this study examines the roles of suppliers, which is critical to the successful implementation of LSSI in global supply chain operations.

Keywords: large scale system integration; LSSI; coordination theory; supplier roles; supplier relationships; supply chain partners; supply chain management; SCM; aerospace industry; quality assessment; equity building; risk management; proprietary protection.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPM.2010.035469

International Journal of Procurement Management, 2010 Vol.3 No.4, pp.397 - 408

Published online: 30 Sep 2010 *

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