Title: Selecting and developing suppliers for mass merchandisers

Authors: Kee S. Kim, Stephen C. Jones, Tami L. Knotts

Addresses: Department of Finance and General Business, Southwest Missouri State University, 901 South National Avenue, Springfield, MO 65804, USA. ' Department of Management, Southwest Missouri State University, 901 South National Avenue, Springfield, MO 65804, USA ' Department of Management, Southwest Missouri State University, 901 South National Avenue, Springfield, MO 65804, USA

Abstract: This paper intends to examine various product and management characteristics of small manufacturing enterprises (SME) to determine critical factors that award qualified suppliers of mass merchandising companies. About 1700 small manufacturers participated in a programme that determined their readiness to enter the mass merchandising market. The assessment instrument collected 34 questions for a firm assessment rating (FAR) of their management practices, 41 items for product evaluation rating (PER), and two items for the overall quality of the firm and its product. The model was very successful in predicting if the product would be recommended to the mass retailers. It was also able to identify nine critical factors that determine the selection of the SME|s product and help to develop desirable suppliers for mass merchandisers.

Keywords: supplier selection; supplier development; artificial intelligence; SMEs; critical factors; mass merchandising; small manufacturers; management practices; product evaluation; product quality; product development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMTM.2005.007704

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, 2005 Vol.7 No.5/6, pp.566 - 580

Published online: 02 Sep 2005 *

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