Repository logo
 

Determinants of sourcing flexibility and its impact on performance

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Wagner, SM 
Grosse-Ruyken, PT 
Erhun, F 

Abstract

© 2018 Elsevier B.V. Sourcing flexibility is an increasingly important building block of supply chain flexibility. Our study which is grounded in information processing theory argues that two mechanisms can support firms in building up sourcing flexibility. Based on a survey of 336 manufacturing firms from Europe and the U.S. and using partial least squares (PLS) modeling as well as hierarchical regression analysis, we show that supplier evaluation and selection, and the integration of information systems at the buyer-supplier interface are positively related to sourcing flexibility. Sourcing flexibility, in turn, is curvilinearly related to delivery performance. Finally, delivery performance positively influences the product's financial performance. The strong associations between sourcing flexibility, delivery performance, and product financial performance underscore that sourcing flexibility merits the attention of supply chain managers during supplier selection and purchasing decisions.

Description

Keywords

Supply chain management, Purchasing, Flexibility, Information processing theory (IPT), Survey research

Journal Title

International Journal of Production Economics

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0925-5273
1873-7579

Volume Title

205

Publisher

Elsevier BV