The Resource Dependence Theory: Assessment and Evaluation as a Contributing Theory for Supply Management

The research in this Bachelor thesis aims on contributing to the business management field of supply management by linking the Resource Dependence Theory (RDT) to supply management practices. RDT was originally developed by Pfeffer and Salancik (1978). It has since been used as a basis to study and explain the influences of envi-ronments on organizational relations. This research develops new perspectives on four critical decision points in supply management: make-or-buy decisions, sourcing strategies decisions, supplier strategies decisions, and contracting decisions. A sys-tematic review of the current body of literature is being used as the basis of this re-search. Resulting in showing the great influence since the development of RDT on organizational behaviour research, and even being seen as a “grand theory” as its progression states in the life-cycle of theories. Moreover, significant support has been found that RDT has a great influence in supply management decision-making. Im-provement advices to the four supply management decision points are given, concern-ing reducing the uncertainty and dependency in the organizational environment.