THE IMPACT OF SUPPLIER INVOLVEMENT IN PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT ON SUPPLY CHAIN RESILIENCE: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF COMMUNICATION

Abstract

This article examines the role of communication during supplier involvement for building supply chain resilience. Based on the construal level theory, our model proposes the influence of supplier involvement in product development on supply chain resilience and, in turn, on company performance through the mediating effect of communication. The results of the empirical analysis, a computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) method conducted on 500 manufacturing companies operating in Poland, confirm the mediating role of communication. The authors used the mediation effect, because the research aim was to recognize the mediating role of communication, and not it's another impact at different levels, which is assumed by the moderation effect. To demonstrate the mediation effect, the structural equation model was used. This research extends the literature on supplier involvement in product development by examining how communication during supplier involvement can impact supply chain resilience and company performance. It also contributes to the construal level theory by suggesting a new antecedent of communication. The research shows that the best practices performed under the supplier involvement in product development increase supply chain resilience only when the proper supplier-buyer communication occurs. We explain the specific influence of collaborative activities on supply chain resilience from the perspective of supplier involvement.

Keywords

• supplier involvement
• product development
• resilience
• communications
• supply chain disruptions