IT in supplier portfolio management - utilisation and influence: case studies in the automotive industry

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of how IT is
utilised in supplier portfolio management in the automotive industry and
how SPM in influenced by IT. This study explains and describes how the
management of suppliers that deliver parts that go directly in to the final
product in the automotive industry can be characterised and how IT is used
to support it. Furthermore, the influence of information technologies on
the management of these suppliers in the automotive industry is
investigated. Therefore, two case studies with two leading European car
manufacturers were conducted. The main conclusion this study shows it that
information technologies are in this context mainly used to support supplier
management by automating processes and to make good communication and
effective supply chain management possible.