Performance Control in Buyer-Supplier Relationships

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. Frontmatter

2. Need for research & theoretical framework

   1. Frontmatter

   2. 1. Practical relevance

      Konstantin Gebert

      Abstract

      The work at hand addresses the design and use of formal management control systems (MCSs) in buyer-supplier relationships (BSRs). To provide a sound basis for the following discussion, a brief background is given and the relevance of the research project from a managerial perspective is indicated (chapter 1.1). Based on the identified issues, research objectives are defined (chapter 1.2), and the structure of the thesis is outlined (chapter 1.3).

   3. 2. Theoretical relevance

      Konstantin Gebert

      Abstract

      Having identified the research objectives, required to meet the challenges of the design and use of formal MCS in BSRs in practice, relevance of the research project must now be assessed from a theoretical point of view. This can be done in four steps. First, the theoretical starting position needs to be clarified by identifying relevant research streams (chapter 2.1) and research gaps within these areas (chapter 2.2). Then, research questions can be developed and implications for the theoretical relevance can be derived (chapter 2.3).

   4. 3. Research framework and research subjects

      Konstantin Gebert

      Abstract

      To being able to achieve the research objectives, stated in chapter 1.2, a theoretical framework must be developed, serving as a basis for answering the research questions, defined in chapter 2.3. This requires getting from a managerial to a theoretical perspective on the identified issues of formal performance control in BSRs. The following considerations are intended to enhance the theoretical foundation of the framework by sharpening the understanding of relevant conceptual aspects of BSRs. Moreover, it is used to clearly define the scope of the doctoral thesis.

   5. 4. Research design and positioning of research

      Konstantin Gebert

      Abstract

      This chapter describes the design of the research project by outlining the basic methodologies applied (chapter 4.2) and the underlying theories (chapter 4.3). The description of the research design will be embedded in the process of classifying the research project's scientific-theoretical features, which terminates in a metamethodological categorization (chapter 4.4). Theoretical fundamentals, connecting theory, methodology and meta-methodology are provided in chapter 4.1.

3. Theory building & empirical analysis

   1. Frontmatter

   2. 5. Performance-control in buyer-supplier relationships: Development of a contingency-based framework for analysis

      Konstantin Gebert

      Abstract

      Globalization has transformed the world into a highly integrated global market place, resulting in continuously growing customer orientation, shorter product life cycles and increasing competiveness. Companies deal with buyers and suppliers from different countries (Giunipero et al., 2008) and various functional activities have transcended companies' boundaries (Hsu, 2005).

   3. 6. Analysis of environmental influences on comparability of reliability, flexibility and inventory efficiency

      Konstantin Gebert

      Abstract

      Buyer-supplier relationships (BSRs) and their efforts to derive value have become more and more complex over last two decades (Terpend, 2008). In particular, coordinative and cooperative processes between buyers and suppliers have a growing impact on companies' profitability, customer satisfaction, competitive capability and other performance areas (Cousins et al., 2008; Hult et al., 2007; Swink et al., 2007; Vickery et al., 2003).

   4. 7. Analysis of dyadic control activities’ mediating role in delivery reliability and flexibility

      Konstantin Gebert

      Abstract

      Successfully managing inter-firm relationships in today's globalized business environments is a formidable challenge (e.g. Christopher, 2005; Presutti and Mawhinney, 2007; Meira et al., 2010). Efficiency and effectiveness of transactional processes at the buyer-supplier interface are particularly important due to their direct impact on customer satisfaction (Gunasekaran et al., 2004) and the company's intrafirm- performance (Swink et al., 2007).

4. Critical appraisal & future research

   1. Frontmatter

   2. 8. Conclusions, limitations and implications for future research

      Konstantin Gebert

      Abstract

      In the following section research results and key findings of the three analysis phases are presented (chapter 8.1) and implications from a managerial (chapter 8.2) and scientific (chapter 8.2) perspective are drawn. Based on the findings limitations are discussed (chapter 8.4) and recommendations for future research are given (chapter 8.5).

5. Backmatter