The measurement and effectiveness of supply chain partnering relationships in international joint venture groupings in the Chinese automotive sector

Abstract

This thesis explores how to measure an effective supply chain partnering relationship in international joint venture groupings in the Chinese automotive sector. The three key objectives are (1) identifying an initial framework for the supply chain partnering relationship context; (2) defining the key criteria of relevance to a partnering relationship; and (3) refining the initial framework and analysing the impact of multicultural collaborators on the partnering relationship.

Given that research on measurements for the effectiveness of the multicultural supply chain partnering relationship is still in its infancy, an initial framework is constructed by reviewing the existing literature regarding the supply chain partnering relationship, partnering relationship performance, and multicultural international joint venture relationships. A cross-sectional case study approach using examples of the Chinese automotive sector is then adopted to obtain an in-depth understanding of the framework in a multicultural business environment.

As a result of this initial focus, considerable time was spent determining what a partnering relationship is, and collecting data to compare the different criteria in multicultural collaborators’. These criteria are included as a guide for fellow researchers and to reflect the entirety of the research process undertaken. There are two processes involved in the redefining of the relevant criteria: first, manufacturers and suppliers select the key criteria under the framework components’ categories; second, if the empirical data identified a criterion that is not summarised within the framework, there will be a new finding recorded under the category. These findings are also described in later chapters of this thesis and contribute to the development of the multicultural collaborators’ supply chain partnering relationship.

The conceptual framework incorporates effective SCPR processes and practices within the multicultural business environment, and the conceptualisation of relationship performance evaluation provides a viable framework for ongoing research and practice. This thesis and the empirical data collection undertaken while conducting the research concentrated on a strategy process perspective in addressing linkages inherent in multicultural cooperation through partnering relationship management, utilising evaluation and refining criteria while examining processes of renewal and business advantages. There are three contributions of the thesis: (1) examination of the partnering relationship theory in new business relationships in China; (2) explored and established a framework for evaluation of performance in multicultural collaborative; and (3) evaluation of current and possible future practice in managing a multicultural collaborators’ business, and offering guidance for practitioner behaviour.

This study is the first to propose a comprehensive framework that measures the effectiveness of the multicultural supply chain partnering relationship while existing studies tend to focus on either specific measures or individual organisations. The multicultural international joint venture perspective provides a further unique view on how an effective multicultural collaborators’ supply chain partnering relationship could be responsive to the dynamics in practice.

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