CASE STUDIES
May 20, 2011

Assessing Buyer-Supplier Relationship Management: Multiple Case-Study in the Dutch Construction Industry

Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 138, Issue 1

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to shed light on obstacles to, and opportunities for, increasing the effectiveness of construction firms in managing buyer-supplier relationships. More specifically, the focus is on assessing the maturity level of buyer-supplier relationship management by construction firms. First, on the basis of a literature review and discussions with industry experts, five constructs were defined and, on the basis of these constructs, a measurement tool was developed. Following this, the maturity level in terms of the five constructs was assessed by applying the measurement tool in 19 Dutch construction firms. The results demonstrate a large potential for improved management of buyer-supplier relationships. Although there are major factors impeding, there are, at the same time, developments stimulating the effectiveness of managing buyer-supplier relationships. A useful next research step would be to determine the optimum portfolio of relationship types between contractors and suppliers in the construction industry.

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Go to Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 138Issue 1January 2012
Pages: 163 - 176

History

Received: Dec 1, 2010
Accepted: May 18, 2011
Published online: May 20, 2011
Published in print: Jan 1, 2012

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Authors

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Jeroen Bemelmans, M.Sc. [email protected]
Ph.D. Candidate, Construction Management and Engineering, Univ. of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, Netherlands (corresponding author). E-mail: [email protected]
Hans Voordijk, Ph.D. [email protected]
Associate Professor, Construction Management and Engineering, Univ. of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, Netherlands. E-mail: [email protected]
Bart Vos, Ph.D. [email protected]
Professor, Organisation and Strategy, Tilburg Univ., P.O. Box 90153, 5000 LE Tilburg, Netherlands. E-mail: [email protected]
Lecturer, Operational Methods for Production and Logistics, Univ. of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, Netherlands. E-mail: [email protected]

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