Supplier-supplier interactions and their effects on supply performance: An empirical study

Many researchers have investigated the dynamics of buyer-supplier relationships and have considered their impacts on the suppliers' supply performance. Supply performance is defined as the manifested capability and operations outcome of supplying a buyer. Recently, researchers have proposed that the relationships between suppliers also affect a supplier's supply performance.; This study examines how supplier-supplier interactions affect suppliers' supply performance and the role of the buyer in the supplier-supplier interactions. It proposes and tests both a moderating model and a mediating model to understand the relationships among the buyer's influence, supplier-supplier interactions and supply performance. This study looks at a triadic relational context where a buyer purchases components from two competing suppliers.; Empirical data are collected from buyers from three divisions of a company and two of their respective suppliers in each relational triad.; The research finding ascertained a clear link between supplier-supplier interactions and supply performance. The finding is interpreted in the context of the research setting and discussed through the theoretical lenses of supply chain relationship and supply chain management strategy. The implications for management and future research are also discussed.