Abstract:
This paper focuses on the relationship study between buyers and suppliers (or the supplier relationship), applying integrated qualitative and quantitative approaches to the analysis of its strata and characteristics. The authors conclude that the supplier relationship is pyramid-structured, comprising four types (common relationship, prior relationship, cooperative relationship and strategy relationship), and put forward three dimensions (standardization, dependability and sustainability) in establishing supplier relationships, and a quantitative model in the framework of the supplier relationship orientation system. This study may provide some referential value for the organizational decision-making in the establishment of supplier relationships.