Expectations of manufacturing companies for suppliers regarding the improvement of their processes

Abstract

The article presents the results of conducted empirical research in which an attempt was made to identify the expectations of manufacturing companies towards suppliers in terms of process (logistics customer service, supervision over property customer, production monitoring, supplier supervision) improvement. The research was conducted using the Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) technique. The research covered 150 production medium and large size companies (employing over 50 people) who were suppliers for enterprises from the automotive, electromechanical and chemical sectors operating in the Polish industrial market. The expectations of production companies towards their suppliers regarding improvement of processes concept were assigned a rank on a scale from one (the least important criterion) to five (the most significant). The analysis of the results of the conducted research shows that the implementation of management tools such as international organizational standards (ISO), Kaizen or Lean Management by companies that are purchasers may affect the expectations towards suppliers in terms of improving their processes. The considerations undertaken in this article confirm that in order to compete on the modern market, close cooperation and cooperation within the supply chain are needed. Representatives of the surveyed manufacturing companies notice this fact and set high expectations for their suppliers in virtually all the surveyed aspects. Conducted research shows that suppliers must pay special attention to the implementation of processes related to ensuring and improving the technical quality of products by focusing on improving control and supervision processes and logistical aspects of customer service. Proper implementation and improvement of these processes requires a methodical approach. Based on the obtained research results, managers of organizations supplying manufacturing companies can obtain important information that will be used to improve processes that are important from the point of view of their recipients. On this basis, they can make an optimal allocation of resources and modify the management style to improve cooperation with manufacturing companies.

Expectations of manufacturing companies towards suppliers in terms of implementing improvement activities

“…The expectations of buyers towards their suppliers are mostly based on the requirements of international management standards published by ISO and on the assumptions of the Kaizen or Lean Management concepts. Fulfilling these expectations by suppliers allows us to improve operational processes, reduce risk in supply chains and reduce the negative impact on the environment (Urbaniak, Zimon, & Madz ık, 2023a). These expectations are communicated in the form of guidelines such as supplier guidelines, supplier handbooks, supplier manuals as well as in the form of supplier self-assessment questionnaires.…”