A key issue for manufacturers is supplier management, i.e. organising theoptimal flow of high quality, value-for-money materials or components fromappropriate innovative suppliers. Many companies now recognise the central rolethat supplier management plays in achieving long-term competitive...

Streamlining the supplier base is a common approach in many US and UKmanufacturing companies. However, is this approach being adopted in Germany asfast as it has in the UK? This paper describes research that answers thisquestion and investigates how German companies are managing contacts with...