چکیده:
According to several studies, power and interdependence play a considerable role in understanding the buyer–supplier relationships, yet, empirical research is still limited. Also, the nature of the buyer-supplier relationship and managing them might vary based on the power position of buyers and suppliers. Few studies focused on the reason behind this interrelation and strong influence of power on the buyer-supplier relationships. Thus, the purpose of this study is to gain better understanding and try to identify how power position and buyer-supplier relationships are interrelated, and whether there are common determinants and/or characteristics behind this strong bond between the two concepts. Both transaction cost analysis theory and social exchange theory were integrated in building the argument. Regarding the methodology, qualitative exploratory research design was employed by using multiple-case study as the main research method, where three multinational Egyptian organizations were selected. Moreover, data was collected using individual in-depth interviews, and analyzed through coding and cross case analysis techniques. The results showed that there are common factors that influence both buyer-supplier relationship characteristics and power position attributes. And according, the findings helped in pointing out a new lens of discussing and investigating the bond between buyer-supplier relationships ad power in research.
خلاصه ماشینی:
"Then supply chain performance will be greatly affected by the degree of commitment in buyer-supplier relationships as it would help in having common goals and efforts, while allowing long-term success for all SC entities (Spekman et al.
1996; Buchanan 1992; Frazier and Rody 1991; Andreson and Weitz 1989).
Also the supply chain manager in companies "B" and "C" also agreed o n the importance of the service offered as a factor affecting the attractiveness of supplier and generally the determination of power position in a relationship.
Finally the supply chain manager in company "C" mentioned the importance of the buyers’ credibility as a factor affecting their attractiveness and identification of power position in the buyer-supplier relationship.
With regards to the studied companies, the existence of special investment among buyers and suppliers in a relationship was said to be the only case where switching is counted as a cost that affect the organization and its power position negatively.
5. Findings The three conducted case studies has helped as shown previously, from the stage of data collection to analysis, in fulfilling the purpose of the current research by creating a base of understanding to the interrelation between buyer - supplier relationships and power position with regards to the power determinants and relationship characteristics.
Only supplier base, switching costs, and searching costs were given good attention in the previous researches as determinants of the suppliers and buyers power position in the relationship (Cox 2004; Cox 2001; Chen and Paulraj 2004; Shin et al 2000; Friedl and Wagner 2012; Brush et al."