Sourcing decision making during a global crisis: the effect on the buyer-supplier relationship
2020 (English)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (One Year)), 10 credits / 15 HE credits
Student thesis
Abstract [en]
The purpose of this research is to investigate how the current COVID-19 crisis influences the sourcing decision-making based on the individual buyer-supplier relationships. Following dissertation is based on epistemology as a research philosophy with an interpretivism approach. Abductive reasoning is used to evaluate the knowledge generated. This is also in line with the overall purpose of this research. Overall, for this research a qualitative approach was chosen. For this purpose, interviews were conducted with a total of 8 participants as employees of companies. Due to the current situation, it was unfortunately not possible to carry out the interviews in person, but online. The biggest influence on the supply chain are the involved governments. Strategic relationships outweigh any other selection criteria, especially in uncertain times of COVID-19. Buyers and suppliers require transparent communication, and this is amplified by handling the crisis and focus on damage control. The organizations that focus on the long term with their strategy and in their relations seem to be less influenced by the current supply chain disruptions than those who focus more on transactional and distant relationships. Multi-criteria supplier selection methods are influenced in decreasing risk, with a focus on the delivery as well as possible quality risks in COVID-19 crisis. New suppliers are only sourced if necessary, but assortments from trusted suppliers are widened.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2020. , p. 122
Keywords [en]
Buyer-supplier relationship, sourcing decision-making, supply chain, stakeholder, crisis, COVID-19
National Category
Business Administration
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hkr:diva-20762OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hkr-20762DiVA, id: diva2:1445652
Educational program
MSc in Business Administration specialising in International Business and Marketing
Supervisors
Examiners
2020-06-262020-06-232020-06-26Bibliographically approved