Supplier-purchaser relationship assessment maturity model: a study of suppliers from an automotive industry

Abstract

Operations networks are increasingly demanding in terms of enterprises’ relationships. Strategies and processes integration and capabilities generation between supply chain members become success key factors. This paper proposes a conceptual model for purchaser-supplier relationship maturity level assessment. The maturity levels were developed from a literature review of the stages of the logistics conceptual evolution, from the integration between members of supply chains and from the evolution stages of the supplier-purchaser relationship. This model integrates a measuring system based on the ‘Performance Prism’. The model is tested in enterprises of the automotive industry. The methodology used to test and validate the model is a survey. Results stated that the participant enterprises are generally found in maturity level 3, which is also confirmed by cluster analysis. Maturity level models may help companies in evolutionary trajectories stating references for their change processes.