Assessing buyer-supplier relationship management: A multiple case-study in the Dutch construction industry

The objective of this paper is to shed light on obstacles to, and opportunities for, increasing the effectiveness of construction firms in managing buyer-supplier relationships. More specifically, the focus is on assessing the maturity level of buyer-supplier relationship management by construction firms. First, on the basis of a literature review and discussions with industry experts, five constructs were defined and, on the basis of these constructs, a measurement tool was developed. Following this, the maturity level in terms of the five constructs was assessed by applying the measurement tool in 19 Dutch construction firms. The results demonstrate a large potential for improved management of buyer-supplier relationships. Although there are major factors impeding, there are, at the same time, developments stimulating the effectiveness of managing buyer-supplier relationships. A useful next research step would be to determine the optimum portfolio of relationship types between contractors and suppliers in the construction industry.