The pharmaceutical sector in China is an attractiveprospect. According to China´s National Bureauof Statistics, the number of individuals participatingin a basic medical care system increasedfrom slightly below 18 million peoplein 1997, to more than 94 million in 2002. Yet alarge potential...

Initiatives to improve relationships with key suppliers are under way in many companies. One important decision relating to the design and administration of strategic supplier relationships is which concept to apply when measuring their performance. The relationships with strategic suppliers are...

The use of electronic reverse auctions (ERAs) by buying organizations has increased dramatically over the past five years. Both anecdotal and empirical evidence have shown that ERAs can lower purchase prices. However, researchers are only just beginning to investigate how ERAs impact perceptions...

The article introduces a conceptual framework of internationalization processes and provides case study-based empirical insights. The aim is to analyze combinations of internationalization strategies and modes that automotive suppliers expanding into China have chosen and their evolution paths...

Various studies on the use of the balanced scorecard (BSC) were conducted in developed countries with relatively stable environments. Nevertheless, research on the implementation and use of the BSC in the highly dynamic and complex environments of developing countries is still rare. The transfer...

The Balanced Scorecard (BSC), as a strategic management and control tool with an integrated set of leading and lagging performance measures, can secure successful implementation of purchasing strategies. However, the quality of the BSC itself as well as the effectiveness of the process to set...

Intangibles are becoming increasingly important to the scientific community as well as the business world. This is mainly due to a highly competitive business environment combined with exceptionally limited resources and the growing importance of knowledge as a commodity. The factuating...

Purchasing transactions are increasingly conducted through electronic auctions. Some companies already source 25 percent of their total purchase volume through this electronic mechanism. However, most of these purchasing transactions could, alternatively, be conducted as face-to-face...