Not quite alike: Supplier relationship management in B2B marketing and supply chain literature

Abstract

Many companies implement systematic supplier relationship management (SRM) approaches. However, while scholars from different disciplines (e.g., business-to-business [B2B] marketing, supply chain management [SCM]) have examined SRM, a clear picture of which aspects have been extensively studied and which have not is lacking. To address this gap, this study conducts a scoping literature review combined with a bibliometric analysis encompassing B2B marketing and SCM research. It aims to unpack the extent and nature of research activity in the fields of B2B marketing and SCM to identify key findings and areas requiring further investigation. The analysis indicates that these two perspectives exhibit some degree of overlap but also emphasize disparate foci. The literature on SRM lacks a comprehensive overview and focus on important areas, such as relationship termination and conflict management. This study highlights these “white spots” on the SRM map, encourages further investigation on them, and offers guidance for fostering more collaborative, effective, and sustainable buyer–supplier relationships.