Supplier innovation management: Enhancing innovations by supplier evaluation and customer attraction dimensions

Anna Aminoff, Riikka Kaipia, Matti Pihlajamaa

    Research output: Contribution to conferenceConference articleScientific

    Abstract

    Firms increasingly rely on the collaboration with suppliers in their innovation processes, as products, processes, and services become increasingly complex. An increasing number of researchers have emphasized the importance of leveraging supplier capabilities for innovation performance. Although the concept of harnessing supplier innovation is not new, the companies are only scratching the potential of supplier innovations, and companies need more methods to manage supplier innovation. In this paper, we suggest that to manage supplier innovations, two strategies need to be combined and balanced: putting pressure on suppliers and giving support for the suppliers. The paper focuses on one dimension in both of these strategies by giving a clear picture of; (1) the role of customer attraction in supporting supplier innovations and (2) supplier evaluation in putting pressure on suppliers to innovate. The results of the paper indicate that in order to fully capitalize on the suppliers' capabilities, supplier innovations should be managed systematically, including systematic use of attraction and supplier evaluation. The paper presents preliminary results of a multiple case study with four cases, and forms a base for future research.
    Original languageEnglish
    Number of pages12
    Publication statusPublished - 2016
    Event19th International Working Seminar on Production Economics - Innsbruck, Austria
    Duration: 22 Feb 201626 Feb 2016

    Conference

    Conference19th International Working Seminar on Production Economics
    Country/TerritoryAustria
    CityInnsbruck
    Period22/02/1626/02/16

    Keywords

    • supplier innovation
    • innovation management
    • supplier evaluation
    • customer attraction

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