Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

Supplier collaboration and speed-to-market of new products: the mediating and moderating effects

  • Published:
Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In a turbulent market economy, the role of suppliers in manufacturer’s new product development has received great attention from both practitioners and researchers. Substantial empirical evidence on the contribution of suppliers in addressing challenges in terms of shorter product life, more immediate response, and faster information flows has been presented. This study aims to investigate which of the supplier collaboration (SC) practices are directly or indirectly related to the speed-to-market (STM) of new products across different firm sizes. The results confirm the direct and positive effect of information sharing on STM. Furthermore, information sharing may partially mediate the effect of strategic purchasing on STM, and completely mediate the effect of supplier involvement on STM. It is also shown that firm size significantly affects the relationship between strategic purchasing and information sharing and that between information sharing and STM. The implications on improving STM via SC for future research and managerial practices are also discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anderson, J. C., & Gerbring, W. D. (1988). Structural equation model in practice: A review and recommended two step approach. Psychological Bulletin, 103(3), 411–423.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Atuahene-Gima, K. (1995). Involving organizational buyers in new product development. Industrial Marketing Management, 24(3), 215–226.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baihaqi, I., & Sohal, A. S. (2013). The impact of information sharing in supply chains on organisational performance: An empirical study. Production Planning & Control, 24(8–9), 743–758.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barney, J. B. (1986). Strategic factor markets: Expectations, luck, and business strategy. Management Science, 32(10), 1231–1241.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baron, R. M., & Kenny, D. A. (1986). The moderator–mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51(6), 1173–1182.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beamon, B. M. (1999). Measuring supply chain performance. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 19(3), 275–292.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bentler, P. M., & Bonett, D. G. (1980). Significance tests and goodness of fit in the analysis of covariance structures. Psychological Bulletin, 88(3), 588–606.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Camisón-Zornoza, C., Lapiedra-Alcamí, R., Segarra-Ciprés, M., & Boronat-Navarro, M. (2004). A meta-analysis of innovation and organizational size. Organization Studies, 25(3), 331–361.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cao, M., & Zhang, Q. (2011). Supply chain collaboration: Impact on collaborative advantage and firm performance. Journal of Operations Management, 29(3), 163–180.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carr, S. A., & Smeltzer, L. R. (1997). An empirically based operational definition of strategic purchasing. European Journal of Purchasing & Supply Management, 3(4), 199–207.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, I. J., & Paulraj, A. (2004). Towards a theory of supply chain management: The constructs and measurements. Journal of Operations Management, 22(2), 119–150.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Churchill, G. A. (1979). A paradigm for developing better measures of marketing constructs. Journal of Marketing Research, 16(2), 64–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clark, K. B. (1989). Project scope and project performance: The effect of parts strategy and supplier involvement on product development. Management Science, 35(10), 1247–1263.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cousins, P. D. (1999). Supply base rationalization: Myth or reality? European Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management, 5(3–4), 143–155.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cusumano, M. A., & Takeishi, A. (1991). Suppliers relations and management: A survey of Japanese, Japanese-transplant, and US auto plants. Strategic Management Journal, 12(8), 563–588.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Damanpour, F. (1992). Organizational size and innovation. Organization Studies, 13(3), 375–402.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deveraj, S., Krajewski, L., & Wei, J. (2007). Impact of eBusiness technologies on operational performance: The role of production information integration in the supply chain. Journal of Operations Management, 25(6), 1199–1216.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Egelhoff, W. G. (1991). Information-processing theory and the multinational enterprise. Journal of International Business Studies, 22(3), 341–368.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ellram, L. M., & Carr, A. S. (1994). Strategic purchasing: A history and review of the literature. Journal of Supply Chain Management, 30(2), 9–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feng, T., Sun, L., & Zhang, Y. (2010). The effects of customer and supplier involvement on competitive advantage: An empirical study in China. Industrial Marketing Management, 39(8), 1384–1394.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flynn, B. B., Sakakibara, S., Schroeder, R. G., Bates, K. A., & Flynn, E. J. (1990). Empirical research methods in operations management. Journal of Operations Management, 9(2), 250–273.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fornell, C., & Larcker, D. F. (1981). Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error. Journal of Marketing Research, 18(1), 29–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frohlich, M. T., & Westbrook, R. (2001). Arcs of integration: An international study of supply chain strategies. Journal of Operations Management, 19(2), 185–200.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Galbraith, J. R. (1973). Designing complex organizations. Boston, MA: Addison–Wesley Longman Publishing Co., Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, A. K., & Wilemon, D. L. (1990). Accelerating the development of technology-based new products. California Management Review, 32(2), 24–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Handfield, R. B., Ragatz, G. L., Petersen, K. J., & Monczka, R. M. (1999). Involving suppliers in new product development. California Management Review, 42(1), 59–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hartley, J. L., Zirger, B. J., & Kamath, R. R. (1997). Managing the buyer–supplier interface for on-time performance in product development. Journal of Operations Management, 15(1), 57–70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heide, J. B., & John, G. (1992). Do norms matter in marketing relationship? Journal of Marketing, 56(2), 32–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hilletofth, P., & Eriksson, D. (2011). Coordinating new product development with supply chain management. Industrial Management & Data Systems, 111(2), 264–281.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoffer, C. W. (1975). Toward a contingency theory of business strategy. Academy of Management Journal, 18(4), 784–810.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hopwood, C. J. (2007). Moderation and mediation in structural equation modeling: Applications for early intervention research. Journal of Early Intervention, 29(3), 262–272.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu, L., & Bentler, P. M. (1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indices in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling, 6(1), 1–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jayaram, J., Xu, K., & Nicolae, M. (2011). The direct and contingency effects of supplier coordination and customer coordination on quality and flexibility performance. International Journal of Production Research, 49(1), 59–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnsen, T. E. (2009). Supplier involvement in new product development and innovation: Taking stock and looking to the future. Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management, 15(3), 187–197.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kamath, R. R., & Liker, J. K. (1994). A second look at Japanese product development. Harvard Business Review, 72(6), 154–170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaufman, C., Wood, H., & Theyel, G. (2000). Collaboration and technology linkages: A strategic supplier typology. Strategic Management Journal, 6(21), 649–663.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kessler, E. H. (2000). Tightening the belt: Methods for reducing development costs associated with new product innovation. Journal of Engineering and Technology Management, 17(1), 59–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • King, B. E., & Penleskey, R. J. (1992). Impediments to timely delivery of new products at an industrial product firm. International Journal of Operations and Production Management, 12(10), 56–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Korsgaard, M. A., & Roberson, L. (1995). Procedural justice in performance evaluation: The role of instrumental and non-instrumental voice in performance appraisal discussions. Journal of Management, 21(4), 657–669.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koski, H., Marengo, L., & Makinen, I. (2012). Firm size, managerial practices and innovativeness: Some evidence from Finnish manufacturing. International Journal of Technology Management, 59(1–2), 92–115.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koufteros, X. A., Vickery, S., & Droge, C. (2012). The effects of strategic supplier selection on buyer competitive performance in matched domains: Does supplier integration mediate the relationships. Journal of Supply Chain Management, 48(2), 93–115.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, H. L. (2000). Creating value through supply chain integration. Supply Chain Management Review, 4(4), 30–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leung, T. K. P., Lai, K. H., Chan, R. Y. K., & Wong, Y. H. (2005). The roles of xinyong and guanxi in Chinese relationship marketing. European Journal of Marketing, 39(5), 528–559.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, S., & Lin, B. (2006). Accessing information sharing and information quality in supply chain management. Decision Support Systems, 42(3), 1641–1656.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, W., Humphreys, P. K., Yeung, C. L., & Cheng, T. C. E. (2012). The impact of supplier development on buyer competitive advantage: A path analytic model. International Journal of Production Economics, 135(1), 353–366.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luo, C., Mallick, D. N., & Schroeder, R. G. (2010). Collaborative product development: Exploring the role of internal coordination capability in supplier involvement. European Journal of Innovation Management, 13(2), 244–266.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Madhok, A., & Tallman, S. B. (1998). Resources, transactions and rents: Managing value through interfirm collaborative relationships. Organization Science, 9(3), 326–339.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mahapatra, S., Das, A., & Narasimhan, R. (2012). A contingent theory of supplier management initiatives: Effects of competitive intensity and product life cycle. Journal of Operations Management, 30(5), 406–422.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mentzer, J. T., Foggin, J. H., & Golicic, S. L. (2000). Collaboration: The enablers, impediments, and benefits. Supply Chain Management Review, 5(66), 52–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohr, J. J., & Spekman, R. (1994). Characteristics of partnership success: Partnership attributes, communication behavior, and conflict resolution techniques. Strategic Management Journal, 15(2), 135–152.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, R. M., & Hunt, S. D. (1994). The commitment-trust theory of relationship marketing. Journal of Marketing, 58(3), 20–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nijssen, J. E., Biemans, G. W., & de Kort, F. J. (2002). Involving purchasing in new product development. R&D Management, 32(4), 281–289.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Leary-Kelly, S. W., & Vokurka, R. J. (1998). The empirical assessment of construct validity. Journal of Operations Management, 16(4), 387–405.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paulraj, A., Augustine, A. A., & Chen, J. I. (2008). Inter-organizational communication as a relational competency: Antecedents and performance outcomes in collaborative buyer–supplier relationships. Journal of Operations Management, 26(1), 45–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paulraj, A., Chen, I. J., & Flynn, J. (2006). Levels of strategic purchasing: Impact on supply integration and performance. Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management, 12(3), 107–122.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peteraf, M. (1993). The cornerstones of competitive advantage: A resource-based view. Strategic Management Journal, 14(3), 179–191.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Petersen, K. J., Handfield, R. B., & Ragatz, G. L. (2005). Supplier integration into new product development: Coordinating product, process and supply chain design. Journal of Operations Management, 23(3–4), 371–388.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ragatz, G. L., Handfield, R. B., & Petersen, K. J. (2002). Benefits associated with supplier integration into new product development under conditions of technological uncertainty. Journal of Business Research, 55(5), 389–400.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ragatz, G. L., Handfield, R. B., & Scannell, T. V. (1997). Success factors for integrating suppliers into new product development. The Journal of Product Innovation Management, 14(3), 190–202.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shah, R., & Goldstein, S. M. (2006). Use of structural equation modeling in operations management research: Looking back and forward. Journal of Operations Management, 24(2), 148–169.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Song, M., & Di Benedetto, A. C. (2008). Supplier’s involvement and success of radical new product development in new ventures. Journal of Operations Management, 26(1), 1–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sorescu, A. B., & Spanjol, J. (2008). Innovation’s effect on firm value and risk: Insights from consumer packaged goods. Journal of Marketing, 72(2), 114–132.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sousa, R., & Voss, C. (2008). Contingency research in operations management practices. Journal of Operations Management, 26(6), 697–713.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stalk, G., Jr. (1988). Time—The next source of competitive advantage. Harvard Business Review, 66(4), 41–51.

  • Takeishi, A. (2001). Bridging inter- and intra-firm boundaries: Management of supplier involvement in automobile product development. Strategic Management Journal, 22(5), 403–433.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsang, E. W. K. (1998). Can guanxi be a source of sustained competitive advantage for doing business in China? Academy of Management Executive, 12(2), 64–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Uzzi, B. (1997). Social structure and competition in inter-firm networks: The paradox of embeddedness. Administrative Science Quarterly, 42(1), 35–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Valk, W., & Wynstra, F. (2005). Supplier involvement in new product development in the food industry. Industrial Marketing Management, 34(7), 681–694.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vickery, S. K., Jayaram, J., Droge, C., & Calantone, R. (2003). The effects of an integrative supply chain strategy on customer service and financial performance: An analysis of direct versus indirect relationships. Journal of Operations Management, 21(5), 523–539.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vonderembse, M. A., & Tracey, M. (1999). The impact of supplier selection criteria and supplier involvement on manufacturing performance. Journal of Supply Chain Management, 35(3), 33–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wheelwright, S. C., & Clark, K. B. (1992). Revolutionizing product development: Quantum leaps in speed, efficiency and quality. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, B. D., Roh, J., Tokar, T., & Swink, M. (2013). Leveraging supply chain visibility for responsiveness: The moderating role of internal integration. Journal of Operations Management, 31(7), 543–554.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wynstra, F., & ten Pierick, E. (2000). Managing supplier involvement in new product development: A portfolio approach. European Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management, 6(1), 49–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yan, T., & Dooley, K. J. (2013). Communication intensity, goal congruence, and uncertainty in buyer–supplier new product development. Journal of Operations Management, 31(7), 523–542.

  • Yu, Z., Yan, H., & Cheng, T. E. (2001). Benefits of information sharing with supply chain partnerships. Industrial Management & Data Systems, 101(3), 114–121.

  • Zhao, X., Huo, B., Selen, W., & Yeung, J. (2011). The impact of internal integration and relationship commitment on external integration. Journal of Operations Management, 29(1–2), 17–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, Y., Cavusgil, E., & Cavusgil, S. T. (2014). An investigation of the black-box supplier integration in new product development. Journal of Business Research, 67(6), 1058–1064.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge greatly the support by the National Science and Technology Infrastructure Program of China (2012BAH08F06) and Shaanxi Soft Science Research Program (2012KRM19).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Management, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049, China

    Ying Zhang & Jie Gao

  2. School of Economics and Finance, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061, China

    Lihua Wang

  3. The State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049, China

    Ying Zhang & Jie Gao

Authors
  1. Ying Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lihua Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jie Gao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jie Gao.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zhang, Y., Wang, L. & Gao, J. Supplier collaboration and speed-to-market of new products: the mediating and moderating effects. J Intell Manuf 28, 805–818 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10845-014-1021-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10845-014-1021-5

Keywords