Chapter 3

Global Sourcing

As many firms have discovered the hard way, a company’s ability to satisfy its ultimate customers is largely dependent upon the performance of its suppliers. The suppliers must be able to deliver materials or provide services to meet strict delivery schedules and to attain specific levels of quality. With many firms substituting information for the need to carry inventory, suppliers play an even more critical role than they did in the past. Companies can develop a strategic advantage by nurturing strong relationships with their suppliers. While these relationships can be difficult to manage with domestic suppliers, they are even more complex and have more subtle cultural nuances if the suppliers are located abroad. ...

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