University of Twente Student Theses
Theoretical foundation of supply management: contributions of the resource dependence theory
Mensing, L. (2013) Theoretical foundation of supply management: contributions of the resource dependence theory.
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| Abstract: | The relative newness of the field of supply management, in combination with its nature of being an applied one, leads to a lack of valid theoretical foundation. Shook et al. (2009) therefore propose a toolbox for better strategic sourcing founded on well-established theories. This thesis offers such a tool by referring to resource dependence theory (RDT) to develop an innovative perspective on the four critical decision points in supply management; the make-or-buy decision, the selection of a sourcing strategy per category, the establishment of a supply pool, and the negotiation and contracting decision. RDT’s predictions are analyzed based on an extensive literature review. Basically, the aim of any organization, according to RDT, is maximal independence and certainty in an environment that threatens through dependency and uncertainty. The comprehensive informative value of RDT allows for an application of its insights to all four decision points. As a result, improvements and advises for each of the decisions are presented. It is advised to in-source the production of critical items if they can only be sourced constrained through dependency or uncertainty. Besides that, the selection of suppliers that are equally powerful or weaker is favored. For the decision towards the establishment of a supply pool and the selection of a sourcing strategy, in particular the insights about relational buyer-supplier approaches to ensure supplies are of great value. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 85 business administration, organizational science |
| Programme: | Business Administration BSc (56834) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/63735 |
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