The Sourcing Hub and Upstream Supplier Networks

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Agrawal, Anupam; Van Wassenhove, Luk N.; De Meyer, Arnoud
• 署名单位: University of Illinois System; University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; INSEAD Business School; Singapore Management University
• 刊物名称: M&SOM-MANUFACTURING & SERVICE OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
• ISSN/ISSBN: 1523-4614
• DOI: 10.1287/msom.2013.0461
• 发表日期: 2014
• 页码: 238-250
• 关键词: sourcing hub; raw material sourcing; supplier network

摘要

In this paper, we explore how firms can better manage their sourcing by developing relationships not only with their suppliers but also with their suppliers' suppliers. We detail an empirical case study explaining how the firm developed relationships with its suppliers and raw material suppliers via a collaborative center, the sourcing hub. We then analytically model the scenarios encountered in our empirical work and examine two facets of upstream sourcing under uncertain demand scenarios: (a) firms can supply raw material directly to their suppliers, and this may be beneficial for the firm and its suppliers; and (b) firms can bring their suppliers together at the sourcing hub, and the resulting cooperation between suppliers is beneficial for the suppliers and the raw material suppliers. Overall, our work explores the market and economic conditions under which active management of upstream sourcing can add value to supply chains.