Buyer–supplier relationships in firms adopting advanced manufacturing technology: an empirical analysis of the implementation of hard and soft technologies

An interactive research framework is developed, proposing that supplier collaboration is more closely linked to the level of soft technology implementation than to that for hard technology.

Abstract

Advanced manufacturing technologies can be divided into two types, hard and soft. Hard technologies are biased towards the use of hardware such as robotics while soft technologies, e.g., Total Quality Management, rely more on organisational procedures and management methods. Companies will have had implemented different amounts of these two technology types. An interactive research framework is developed, proposing that supplier collaboration is more closely linked to the level of soft technology implementation than to that for hard technology. The framework is empirically tested using data from 83 firms in the top tier of the Turkish automotive industry. The positive outcome of this innovative study contributes to knowledge of these important relationships and better teaches managerial practice. The generic framework contributed by this research can, potentially, be applied to other industries with high levels of AMT implementation.