The Impact of Downstream Network Subgroups on Collaboration and Performance: A Survey of Buyer-Supplier Relationships in the Dutch Flower Sector

In this paper, we aim to identify those network subgroups that enhance the collaborative governance in a focal buyer-supplier relationship. We argue, that partners in a focal buyer-supplier relationship can be seen as embedded in a broader network of business relationships with network subgroups, (e.g. other buyers, buyers customers), which provide information that can support the collaborative governance, assessed by flexibility, joint planning and joint problem solving, by lowering the level of information asymmetry between the partners. Empirical evidence was gathered through a mailed questionnaire returned by 175 Dutch suppliers of potted plants and flowers. Our results show the importance of the information provided by the network subgroups to manage the focal buyer-supplier relationships and ultimately the impact on performance. Interestingly, although five network subgroups were mentioned in the questionnaire, suppliers only obtained reliable information for their focal relationship from the downstream subgroups of other buyers (i.e. merchant-distributors) and buyer's customers (i.e. supermarkets and flower shops). In order to avoid redundancy, managers in seeking information in their business network should not consider the network as a whole, but rather the downstream subgroups.Industrial Organization,

3 Managementtools voor betere inkoopprestaties in het MKB

Om ondernemers de crisis door te helpen, startten Gert Walhof, Geoffrey Hagelaar en Richard Holman in 2012 het onderzoek ‘Waarderen van inkoop door mkb’. In dit artikel presenteren zij drie managementinstrumenten die ze in samenspraak met de ondernemers hebben geselecteerd en ontwikkeld

Kansen en belemmeringen in duurzame ketenvorming; Primair bedrijf in ketens?

In agricultural chains in the Netherlands, there are many initiatives to produce more sustainably. However, the growth of these chains is proceeding more slowly than is socially desirable. On the basis of nine case studies of niche products, this study attempts to provide an insight into where the obstacles to the growth of such chains lie. In addition, we examine the role of the chain parties and others (for example, the government) in removing these obstacles. In de Nederlandse landbouw zijn diverse initiatieven om in ketenverband duur& zamer te produceren. Echter, de groei van deze ketens is minder snel dan maatschappelijk gewenst is. Dit onderzoek wil op basis van negen cases van ni& cheproducten inzichtelijk maken waar de groeibelemmeringen in deze ketens zitten. Ook wordt ingegaan op de rol van de ketenpartijen en anderen (bijvoor& beeld de overheid) bij het oplossen van deze belemmeringen.Chains Dutch Agriculture, Agricultural and Food Policy, Farm Management,

3rd Understanding Small Enterprises (USE) Conference 2015

Identifying critical control points in SME purchasing activities.Presentation USE Conference 2015