The impact of buyer-supplier relationship and purchasing process on the supply chain performance: a concpetual framework

Supply chain performance is a rapidly developing area of research. Many companies are trying to find tools for enhancing performance measures in response to turbulent business markets and for efficiently controlling their business activities. Little empirical research has been conducted on the performance of retail supply chain in Taiwan and other Asian countries. Two factors affecting current retail supply chains, buyer-supplier relationships and purchasing processes, and their antecedents that are relevant to this unique cultural environment will be investigated. The objectives of this research are: (1) to identify the determinants affecting the performance of the supply chain at the retail level; (2) to define the antecedents related to each determinant; and (3) to present the conceptual model for this particular context. This research will contribute by presenting a conceptual model for supply chain performance that is relevant to small and mediumsized businesses that predominate Taiwan. INTRODUCTION Supply chain management (SCM) is “a key strategic factor for increasing organizational effectiveness and for better realization of organizational goals such as enhanced competitiveness, better customer care and increased profitability” (Gunasekaran et al. 2001, p. 71). The major goals of SCM are to minimize non-value-added activities and associated investment cost and operating cost, increase customer responsiveness and flexibility in the supply chain, and enhance bottom-line performance and cost competitiveness (Stewart 1995). A recent study conducted by Petrovic-Lazarevic and Sohal (2002) reported that effective management of the supply chain has been identified as being of significant importance to achieving and sustaining a competitive advantage for firms in the Australian textiles, clothing, and footwear industry.