University of Twente Student Theses
How structural and process characteristics influence the digitalization in buyer-supplier relationships : an AAR2 perspective
Nijhof, L. (2022) How structural and process characteristics influence the digitalization in buyer-supplier relationships : an AAR2 perspective.
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| Abstract: | This study focuses on the digitalization in buyer-supplier relationships. The goal of this study is to find out how companies can differ in their degree of digitalization in buyer-supplier relationships while being exposed to the same internal and external factors. This is done by analyzing different factors and contingencies which have an influence on the degree of digitalization in buyer-supplier relationships. Whereafter, a new theoretical framework is developed. At the start of this study, an extensive literature review is done to map out the relevant factors and contingencies. After that, fifteen suppliers from eight different industries were interviewed. The qualitative data is coded via open, axial and selective coding. By analyzing the data different results were found. First of all, the degree of digitalization in buyer-supplier relationships can be measured by the degree to which different ICT systems are integrated within both sides of the buyer and supplier. Secondly, the literature review found that every company must meet five factors in order to digitalize their buyer-supplier relationships. However this study adds that there is a sixth factor that companies must meet in order to digitalize their buyer-supplier relationships namely Human Resources. The last major result had to do with the eight contingencies that can strengthen or weaken the process of digitalization in buyer-supplier relationships. After analyzing the data it became prevalent that social interaction had no effect on the process of digitalization in buyer-supplier relationships. With the result that there are seven important contingencies in relation to the digitalization in buyer-supplier relationships instead of eight. At the end of this study a discussion was started by comparing the results to the existing literature. Followed by the limitations, future research and managerial recommendations of this study. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 85 business administration, organizational science |
| Programme: | Business Administration MSc (60644) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/93545 |
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