1Associate Professor, Department of Business Administration, Annamalai University (was earlier senior operation Engineer, Tuticorin Alkali Chemicals)
2Assistant Professor, Department of Business Administration, Annamalai University
3Assistant Professor, Department of Business Administration, Joseph Arts & Science College, Thirunavalur, Tamilnadu
Supplier management involves tweaking the supplier product to suit to the needs of buyer and in turn enhancing the quality of the product manufactured by the buyer. Supplier development is a challenging role and is determined by the amount of involvement shown by the buyer company in the operation process of buyer company and the willingness of the buyer company to commit resources for the operations concerning supply to that particular company. From the study it was inferred that supplier identification, supplier evaluation and legal/social compliance has a direct influence on supplier relationship management and also has an indirect effect on supplier relationship management through supplier development and supplier choice. Supplier development and choice of supplier are mediating variables for the effect of supplier identification, supplier evaluation and legal/social compliance on supplier relationship management. The study is based on auto companies in and around Chennai and further studies can be carried by involving executives of other geographical areas and also paying a larger focus on areas such as social accountability of supplier companies.
Supplier relationship management, auto companies, supplier evaluation, supplier identification
