Title: A systematic approach to supplier improvement

Authors: Robert J. Vokurka, Gail M. Zank

Addresses: Department of Finance, Economics and Decision Sciences, Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX 78412, USA. ' Department of Marketing, Texas State University-San Marcos, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA

Abstract: Purchasing has grown more strategic in organisations with supply chain management being used to improve competitiveness and performance of the supply chain and its members. This is particularly true of small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) that are developing and growing. Supplier performance and development is multidimensional with trade-offs among the competitive priorities of cost, quality, delivery and other measures. A model of lasting and cumulative performance improvements is extended to supplier development. This approach is long-term in nature and specifies improving supplier capabilities in a specific sequence to maximise benefits in a cumulative manner.

Keywords: supplier development; supply chain management; SCM; competitive priorities; performance improvement; SMEs; small and medium enterprises; supplier improvement; purchasing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMED.2006.008244

International Journal of Management and Enterprise Development, 2006 Vol.3 No.1/2, pp.85 - 97

Published online: 25 Nov 2005 *

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