Supplier relationship management in clusters: the Electronics Valley case

This study examines the supplier relationship management (SRM) through the approach of Olsen & Ellram in five small and medium enterprises located in the Electronics Valley Cluster, Brazil. It is an exploratory descriptive study with data collection performed through interviews with executives of these five companies. It was possible to conclude that there is a strong need for technology partnerships with suppliers because of the possibility of competitiveness growth associated with supplier technology. However, relationships with suppliers are still incipient and informal, with no support strategies and systems integration. Because of the use of high technology inputs, integration with suppliers presents a great potential to improve the competitiveness of the enterprises in this cluster. However, in order to foster this potential, the cluster and its institutions need to develop incentive policies and joint actions.

Supplier relationships management; Cluster; Small and medium enterprises