Buyer-supplier operational practices, sourcing policies and plant performances: Results of an empirical research

On the basis of empirical research on a sample of Italian plants, this study: (i) analyses the relationships between advanced buyer-supplier operational interaction practices (design link, logistic link, quality link) and the basic options of the buyer's purchasing strategy, e.g. sources selection criteria, supply base reduction policies, long-term perspectives granted to suppliers (stability of procurement); and (ii) compares these operational...