Benefiting from Supplier Supply Network Position: The Manufacturer Perspective

Abstract

The position of a supplier in the supply network is emerging as one of the important aspects of supplier management, but the role of managing supplier supply network position in improving the performance of manufacturers still remains undear. This paper examines the impact of supplier supply network position on manufacturer performance and stresses the mediating role of supplier capability and supplier performance. Using structural equation modeling (S EM), this paper empirically tests a number of hypothesized relationship based on the data collected from 228 Chinese manufacturers. Results indicate that supplier supply network position does not have any significant direct effects on manufacturer performance, moreover, supplier capability and supplier performance plays a fully mediating role between supplier network position and manufacture purchasing performance.