Sustaining company performance through partnering with suppliers
Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management
Publication Date
2002
Volume
19
Issue
5
First Page
567
Last Page
580
Publisher
Emerald Publishing Limited
Keywords
Partnering; Suppliers; Customer satisfaction; Goals
Abstract
Companies are expected to achieve a high level of customer satisfaction in order to outperform their competitors. Many companies focus on how they themselves can do better to meet their customers’ needs. However, they may not be aware that they can best satisfy their customers by teaming up with their suppliers. This study suggests that a company can sustain its performance by extending TQM principles beyond its internal boundaries, i.e. it should partner with its suppliers. This paper studies the factors that lead to successful partnering with suppliers and how supplier partnering can help a company improve its performance. This paper proposes that companies can improve suppliers’ satisfaction and solicit their contribution through satisfying their needs, developing cooperative goals, and interacting constructively with suppliers. Moreover, it argues that supplier satisfaction and contribution will lead to customer satisfaction. Results from 139 supply chain managers show that partnering with suppliers can help companies achieve higher customer satisfaction.
DOI
10.1108/02656710210427539
Print ISSN
0265671X
E-ISSN
17586682
Publisher Statement
Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Full-text Version
Publisher’s Version
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Wong, A. (2002). Sustaining company performance through partnering with suppliers. International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management, 19(5), 567-580. doi: 10.1108/02656710210427539