Title: Evaluating partner suitability for collaborative supply networks

Authors: Timothy McNichols, Louis Brennan

Addresses: School of Business Studies, Trinity College, University of Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland. ' School of Business Studies, Trinity College, University of Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland

Abstract: Achieving greater integration with trading partners can transform relationships into collaborative supply networks. However, organisations are faced with the challenge of selecting suitable partners or risk not attaining any collaborative advantage. To facilitate this decision-making, the authors have devised a framework to assist the selection process of suitable collaborative partners. Based on empirical data from an EC-funded Fifth Framework Initiative, the authors propose a three-phase framework involving Assessment, Positioning and Selection (APS). This paper outlines how this APS framework can be used to segment current supply chain partners and identify the potential level of impact in a collaborative supply network.

Keywords: collaboration; collaborative supply chain; supply networks; internet; supply chain management; SCM; inter-organisational systems; assessment; framework; supply chain integration; partner selection; supply chain partners; extended enterprise; decision making.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNVO.2006.009536

International Journal of Networking and Virtual Organisations, 2006 Vol.3 No.2, pp.220 - 237

Published online: 19 Apr 2006 *

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