Supply chain relationship quality and its impact on firm performance

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of supply chain relationship quality (SCRQ) on firm performance (FP) through the mediators of supply chain management processes (SCMP) and supply chain performance (SCP). In the literature, these linkages have been examined separately; in contrast, this study takes a holistic perspective on the antecedents of FP. The model was tested using survey data from manufacturing companies. Variance-based structural equation modelling revealed that both SCMP and SCP lead to FP, unlike SCRQ. On the other hand, SCRQ affects SCMP. Drawing on the resource-based view, consistency in SCRQ can lead to not only efficient and effective supply chain management but also improvements in FP and SCP. This research has practical implications, providing supply chain decision makers with insights on enhancing FP. Supply chain decision makers will be able to benefit from the findings of our study by improving supply chain relationships with supply chain members and ensuring FP. This research also highlights how effective management of SCRQ, SCMP and SCP can provide better FP and a competitive advantage.

Keywords:

• Supply chain management
• supply chain relationship quality
• supply chain performance
• firm performance
• manufacturing firms

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Işık Özge Yumurtacı Hüseyinoğlu

Işık Özge Yumurtacı Hüseyinoğlu is Associate Professor and faculty member of Logistics Management at Izmir University of Economics, Turkey. She received her B.A. in Business Administration, Master in Logistics Management and PhD in Business Administration. During her PhD studies, she was a visiting scholar at Cranfield University (UK), School of Management-Supply Chain Research Center. As part of post-doctoral research, she was at University of Bremen (Germany) logistics management department in 2014 and 2015. Her research is focused on supply chain management, retail logistics and retail marketing.

Herbert Kotzab

Herbert Kotzab is Professor and Chair of Logistics Management at the University of Bremen and International Professor at Othman Yeop Abdullah Graduate School of Business, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Malaysia. He received his Master of Business Administration in Marketing and Management, PhD (1996) and Postdoctoral degree (Habilitation; 2002) from the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration. Prior to his assignment at Bremen, he held a Professor position at the Copenhagen Business School at the Department of Operations Management. His research focuses on supply chain management, service operations and consumer driven value networks. Between 2013 and 2019, he served as Editor-in-Chief of Logistics Research.

Christoph Teller

Christoph Teller is Professor of Retailing and Marketing and Head of the Department of Marketing and Retail Management at Surrey Business School, University of Surrey. His research interests are in the areas of store (format) and agglomeration (format) patronage, retail operations and supply chain partnering.