Exploring the circular economy paradigm: A natural resource-based view on supplier selection criteria

The paradigm of circular economy and the transfer of its principles to supply chain management has recently received much attention from researchers and practitioners. Limited natural resources, governmental legislation, and social responsibility for environmental preservation are the main factors for the development of circular supply chains. Especially in the automotive industry, critical materials are used to produce electric vehicles, reinforcing the importance of circularity for the industry. As the first stage of the supply chain, suppliers have a considerable influence on creating self-sufficient production systems, and in the automotive sector, a low level of vertical integration is important. Therefore, selecting suppliers is an enabler for circular supply chains, but this decision is a complex process due to multiple, partly conflicting criteria. To contribute to the knowledge in this research area, this study applies a fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory approach for supplier selection in a circular supply chain in a case study of electric vehicles. First, a set of criteria for supplier selection in circular supply chains was identified based on a literature review and was systematically categorized based on the natural resource-based view. Afterward, the criteria were assessed and refined by experts with a strong procurement background in the automotive industry. Second, the experts were interviewed for value collection, and finally, the mutual influence of the criteria was determined. The results show that the most important criteria for circular supplier selection in electric vehicle supply chains are environmental standards, environmental-related certifications, resource consumption, and waste generation. Regarding the natural resource-based view, short-term focused criteria addressing the capability of pollution prevention have a higher importance compared to long-term criteria that drive sustainable development. In addition, this study classifies the criteria into the categories of causes and effects, discusses the prominence of the criteria, and presents a strategic map showing the mutual influences of the criteria. The results contribute to the theoretical and practical discussion on circular supply chains by identifying the key criteria for circular supplier selection and providing decision-making support for procurement managers.     

Participation of suppliers in greening supply chains: An empirical analysis of German automotive suppliers

The public increasingly holds companies accountable for environmental misbehavior in their supply chains. To offset that risk corporations start initiatives to green their supply chains. Yet suppliers often fail to properly participate in these initiatives. This paper presents a conceptual framework to explain supplier participation in green initiatives, by investigating customer requirements, supplier readiness, relational norms and customer investment as possible drivers. The framework and hypotheses were tested using survey data of 54 German automotive suppliers. Partial least squares methodology was deployed for hypothesis testing. The study found supplier readiness and customer requirements to be significant drivers in supplier participation. Relational norms and customer investment did not per se yield significant importance for explaining supplier participation, but when taking into account firm size, the data suggests that cooperative relation norms and customer investment work as an additional driver in green supply chain management for larger suppliers. This research is one of the few studies that explore drivers for supply chain participation at the supplier's level.     

浅议制造型企业如何选择供应商

在供应链管理环境下,供应商的选择对制造型企业是非常重要的。为了让制造型企业的供应商选择工作更加高效且成本更低,文章在已有供应商选择理论的基础上,针对制造型企业,首先分析了供应商的分类,然后建立了一个制造型企业选择供应商的指标体系,给出了制造型企业选择供应商的基本流程。     

Global supplier selection using fuzzy analytic hierarchy process and fuzzy goal programming

Global supplier selection is a multi-goal multi-criteria problem which needs to consider both qualitative and quantitative factors. Which suppliers are the best and how much should be purchased from the selected suppliers is an important purchasing issue for manufacturers. Traditionally, decision makers can determine the best supplier from evaluating few suppliers with qualitative supplier selection criteria by using fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP), but evaluate dozens of global suppliers simultaneously or determine the order quantity from them will be complex and difficult. Meanwhile, decision makers can determine the order quantity form the suitable suppliers by using fuzzy goal programming (FGP); however, it is not easy to decide weights for each goal of global supplier selection with different supply chain strategies. This study integrated the FAHP and FGP (FAHP-FGP) method to be a new approach for global supplier selection in considering the manufacturer’s supply chain strategies. With FAHP-FGP method, the manufacturer can consistently integrate multi-manager’ opinions in determining weights of each goal and obtain the order quantities for suitable suppliers based on manufacturer’s strategies. To demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed method, a real-world case of a digital consumer products manufacturer is presented.     

大客户兼供应商与企业融资约束

基于2009—2021年我国沪深A股上市公司前五大客户与供应商的信息数据，探究大客户兼是主要供应商这一特殊情形对企业融资约束的影响及其作用机制。研究发现，大客户兼供应商的存在会加剧企业融资约束，且这一效应对于非国有控股和非制造业企业以及当该类客户销售占比低于采购占比和与企业位于同一行业时更为显著。机制检验结果表明，关联交易是大客户兼供应商加剧企业融资约束的作用渠道，而非财务造假行为和真实经营模式带来的弱势市场地位和高经营效率，表明大客户兼主要供应商在我国情境下是一种供应链风险信号，其背后往往隐藏着关联交易，这不仅拓展了学术界和实务界对企业大客户与供应商的认知，也从供应链视角为我国企业“融资难、融资贵”提供了新的解释。     

主制造商-供应商模式下民用飞机研制供应链努力程度协调模型

民用飞机越来越多地采用主制造商供应商模式。供应商的努力程度在很大程度上决定了飞机的研制水平。因而作为供应链利益的集成者和分配者的主制造商,就会利用其自身的信息优势和主导地位,对供应商的努力程度进行统一协调。本文主要采用Nash均衡和Shapley值等方法构建了基于供应商努力程度的供应链协调模型,重点研究在主制造商的统一协调下实现供应链整体利益和各成员利益最优的,问题。研究结果表明,主制造商统一安排各供应商的努力程度使整个供应链的利益最大化,而主制造商对利益的合理分配则能增加供应链各成员的利益,实现整个供应链的有效协调。     

Supplier satisfaction and commitment: The role of influence strategies and supplier development

Although considerable research is dedicated to influence strategies and supplier development, a lack of empirical support exists of their effects on supplier satisfaction and commitment. This exploratory study aims to fill this gap by investigating first-tier suppliers in the German automotive industry. Supplier reactions to three different influence strategies and two types of supplier development efforts are examined. Results indicate that supplier commitment is affected by the use of promises and both human- and capital-specific supplier development, while supplier satisfaction is affected by indirect, other direct influence strategies and capital-specific supplier development.     

Evaluation of supplier capability and performance: A method for supply base reduction

Development of partnership with suppliers is widely recognised today as a potent tool for supply chain improvement. To develop an effective partnership, it is necessary to have a small supply base and an effort to reduce the supply base to a manageable level. Despite its overwhelming importance, models of supply base reduction are rare. Supplier sorting methods, used for pre-selection of suppliers and sometimes seen as methods for supply base reduction, have limitations ranging from (1) requirement of an exhaustive database of historical information (case-based reasoning), (2) inability to predefine the number of elements in a cluster (cluster analysis) and (3) inability to identify suppliers who are both highly capable as well as high performers (data envelopment analysis). In the present work, we develop a systematic framework for carrying out the supply base reduction process. The study assumes two important dimensions of suppliers—performance and capability. Performance of a supplier represents short-term effects on the achievement of supply chain objectives while supplier capability indicates long-term effects. Many of the performance and capability factors are imprecise in nature. In order to account for the imprecision involved in numerous subjective characteristics of suppliers, we use fuzzy set approach to measure the imprecision of these factors and rank a potential list of suppliers against their performance and capability. We then display their ranks in a ‘capability–performance matrix’ that helps a decision maker arrange the suppliers in decreasing order of preference. The desired numbers of suppliers are finally selected on the basis of this ordered list. The suggested framework will be of immense help to the practising managers in reducing the supply base—a prerequisite for building a strong supplier partnership and developing an effective supply chain.     

供应不确定下基于Supply-hub的供应商选择和库存协同决策

针对由供应商、Supply-hub和制造商组成的三级供应链的多产品供应商选择和库存协同问题,考虑供应商存在延迟交付风险、供应数量约束,以供应链运作成本最小为目标,构建整数规划模型。分析结果表明:在一定的条件下,总存在最优的供应商选择方案和库存策略;当供应商的延迟交付概率增加,供应链期望成本上涨;当供应商供应数量无限制时,减少最优订货批量可以弱化供应不确定性增加造成的影响;当供应商选择方案不变,订货提前期增加,供应链的运作成本以及最优订货批量不变;一种零部件提前期的变化不影响其他零部件的供应商选择和库存策略。     

Re-examining the link between fairness and commitment in buyer-supplier relationships

By re-examining the link between fairness and commitment in supply chain relationships, this study elaborates on the existing theory that views fairness only as an antecedent. It proposes that commitment can also precede perceived fairness, thus redefining the link between the concepts as bidirectional in buyer–supplier relationships. The study examines both the buyer and supplier perspectives. Based on interviews at 24 technology industry firms in Finland, this empirical study demonstrates that buyer commitment has a positive impact on how suppliers perceive distributive fairness in the relationship. In turn, this effect is reciprocated by the suppliers through a commitment in the form of relationship-specific investments and continuous improvements that are perceived as fair by the buyer. As a managerial implication the study emphasizes the importance of fairness evaluation to the relationship parties.     

基于DEA理论的供应商绩效评价选择研究

供应链管理是降低成本以提供更多产品与更好服务的有效方法。其中如何对供应商进行有效选择成为企业获得市场竞争力的关键。文中在供应链管理的角度对供应商进行选择,建立合理的评价指标体系,采用DEA方法对供应商进行绩效评价。最后的实例分析证明该方法是可行的。     

可拓综合评价方法在图书供应商选择中的运用

本文综合分析供应商的供应能力、服务能力、价格、影响力和交货能力五个因素,构建高校图书馆图书供应商的评价指标体系,运用可拓综合评价方法选择最佳供应商,最后通过算例验证评价指标体系的可行性。     

Practices and strategies for sustainability-related risk management in multi-tier supply chains

This study investigates how sustainability-related risks are managed in multi-tier supply chains. It focuses on the strategies and practices that companies use to manage sustainability-related risks and how these differ between supply chains and supply chain tiers. We use a multiple-case study with 25 companies forming 5 multi-tier supply chains. As a result of this study, we present a conceptual framework for sustainability-related risk management practices in multi-tier supply chains and apply it empirically by defining sustainability-related risk management profiles for the case supply chains. We show that in multi-tier supply chains, companies need direct and indirect collaboration and direct and indirect monitoring practices for managing sustainability-related risks emanating from not only their first-tier suppliers but also lower-tier suppliers. Our framework helps purchasing and supply chain managers understand the dimensions of sustainability-related risk management in a multi-tier setting and develop strategies and practices for mitigating and managing those risks. We also empirically show the challenge of extending sustainability-related risk management practices beyond first-tier suppliers due to the different practices in different supply chain tiers.     

Do buyer cooperative actions matter under relational stress? Evidence from Japanese and U.S. assemblers in the U.S. automotive industry

Buyers can create relational stress even as they work cooperatively with suppliers. This study investigates the moderating effects of relational stress on the ability of buyer-initiated cooperative actions to influence a supplier's willingness to invest in technology that will be of benefit to the buyer. Data on 2012 buying situations were collected from Tier 1 suppliers to three U.S. domestic automotive assemblers (Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors) and three Japanese transplant automotive assemblers (Honda, Nissan, and Toyota) over three consecutive years (2003–2005). The results indicate that (1) buyer-initiated cooperative actions of communication, assistance, and supplier involvement increase a supplier's willingness to invest in technology, (2) the relationship-enhancing effect of buyer assistance increases under high relational stress, while the effectiveness of buyer communication decreases, and (3) that the effect of supplier involvement is not significantly influenced by relational stress levels. Furthermore, we found that supplier relations with Japanese transplant assemblers are characterized by higher levels of cooperative actions, lower levels of relational stress, and higher levels of supplier willingness to invest in technology when compared to those of U.S. domestic assemblers.     

Enhancing hospital supply chain performance: A relational view and empirical test

Improving hospital supply chain performance has become increasingly important as healthcare organizations strive to improve operational efficiency and to reduce cost. In this study, we propose a research model based on a relational view, delineating the factors that influence hospital supply chain performance: trust, knowledge exchange, IT integration between the hospital and its suppliers, and hospital–supplier integration. Testing results of the research model based on data from a sample of 117 supply chain executives from U.S. hospitals show positive direct effects: (1) from trust and from IT integration to knowledge exchange respectively; (2) from knowledge exchange and from IT integration to hospital–supplier integration respectively; and (3) from hospital–supplier integration to hospital supply chain performance. The results also show the following indirect effects: (1) the influences of knowledge exchange and IT integration on hospital supply chain performance are partially and fully mediated by hospital–supplier integration, respectively and (2) the influences of trust and IT integration on hospital–supplier integration are fully and partially mediated by knowledge exchange, respectively. In addition, the results show the following moderating effects: (1) hospital system membership moderates the relationships between IT integration and knowledge exchange and between trust and knowledge exchange; (2) hospital environmental uncertainty moderates the relationship between trust and knowledge exchange; and (3) trust moderates the relationship between knowledge exchange and hospital–supplier integration. Implications of the study findings and directions for future research are discussed.     

汽车零部件供应商选择方法应用研究

零部件采购是汽车制造企业供应链管理的重要环节,而供应商的选择是供应链管理的基础。文中将多属性决策理论中的改进TOPSIS法和熵值法的评价优势相结合,引入到汽车零部件供应商选择中来,并以具体的案例说明基于熵值法的改进TOPSIS法是一个可靠、有效且可以持续改善的汽车零部件供应商评价模型,为企业进行供应商选择、管理、监督、改善等活动提供更为有力的依据。     

供需链节点企业技术创新合作模式选择的博弈分析

供应商与制造商之间的技术流动与商业化合作日驱频繁,因此有必要研究供需链节点企业技术创新合作模式选择问题。文中在供需链环境下,建立供应商与制造商技术创新的完全信息动态博弈模型,引入准投资弹性变量,探讨供需链中供应商与制造商进行技术创新的条件与时机问题,通过对制造商与供应商之间的技术创新合作方式博弈分析,得出准投资弹性变量影响下技术创新方式选择的临界条件,并将模型拓展到n维领域的创新方式选择问题,文中结论对供需链节点处企业技术创新活动的选择具有一定的现实指导意义。     

Antecedents to supplier integration in the automotive industry: A multiple-case study of foreign subsidiaries in China

Supplier integration has become an important concept for improving supply chain performance. The aim of this paper is to identify factors that facilitate and inhibit supplier integration in the context of the Chinese automotive industry. An inductive approach based on grounded theory was chosen as the research methodology, where data was collected through 30 detailed case interviews with subsidiaries of foreign automotive companies operating in China. The results indicate that buyer-side leadership is an important antecedent for building motivation, trust, and commitment among suppliers and for shaping their mindsets. This, in turn, facilitates strategic alignment and enables suppliers to build collaborative capabilities, which are finally shown to be a key enabler for successful supplier integration.     

The impact of stakeholder orientation on sustainability and cost prevalence in supplier selection decisions

The stakeholder approach has taken a prominent role in the discussion of sustainability measures at varying strategic levels and corporate functions. Literature on sustainability suggests that firms have to cope with enhanced pressure from different stakeholder groups regarding their upstream supply management practices. At the same time purchasing managers face the trade-off between sustainability and cost prevalence in selecting new suppliers. Thus, it is of major concern for companies in general and purchasing organizations in particular to know and understand how purchasing managers react to the influence of specific stakeholder groups when it comes to supplier selection decisions. Following this notion we formulate six sets of hypotheses linking the adoption of ethical business culture to the prevalence of sustainability and cost criteria in supplier selection decisions to be tested in a path analytical model.Based on the results of an empirical study conducted with purchasing managers from multi-national firms located in Germany, this paper makes two major contributions: first, it sheds light on direct effects of shareholder, public, and customer orientation on the evaluation of the outlined-trade off; second, it investigates the indirect effects by introducing the formalization of ethical culture as a mediating variable to assess the impact of the three kinds of shareholder orientation on the propensity to select suppliers based on their performance in terms of social and environmental criteria as well as cost performance.     

Internal and external suppliers in manufacturing networks—An empirical analysis

The purpose of the paper is to explore the way manufacturing firms use internal and external suppliers in the design and management of manufacturing networks. The main area of interest is to explore the similarities and differences between internal and external suppliers, with respect to their roles and the reasons for choosing a certain type of supplier. We base our analysis on data from 104 Swedish manufacturing plants and their corresponding manufacturing networks of internal and external suppliers. The results of the study show that there are significant differences between the criteria that are influential in choosing a certain type of supplier. The choice of an internal supplier is largely based on a single corporate decision, while an external supplier has to perform well on a number of criteria (primarily quality, cost, and delivery dependability). When comparing the selection criteria with competitive priorities and plant performance, we find that the criteria for selecting external suppliers has a better match than those for selecting internal suppliers. The sample contained plants having only external suppliers as well as plants having both internal and external suppliers, but the selection criteria for external suppliers are the same for both groups and not dependent upon the presence or absence of internal suppliers.