Assessing the Impact of Supplier Relationship Management on Supply Chain Resilience

Thesis Abstract

In an increasingly interconnected global economy, supply chain resilience has become a critical strategic objective for manufacturing and distribution firms facing disruptions from geopolitical shifts, natural catastrophes, and market volatility. Despite the growing recognition that effective Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) can enhance supply chain robustness, empirical evidence quantifying this relationship remains limited, especially within Asian manufacturing sectors. This study aims to systematically assess the impact of SRM practices on supply chain resilience, elucidating the mechanisms through which supplier integration and collaboration contribute to adaptive and responsive supply chain systems. The specific objectives are to (1) identify key SRM practices employed by firms, (2) evaluate their relative influence on supply chain resilience, and (3) explore moderating factors such as organizational culture and supply chain complexity. Employing a quantitative, cross-sectional research design, the study targets a population of 150 manufacturing firms located within the electronics and automotive sectors in Southeast Asia. A stratified random sampling technique is utilized to select a representative sample of 75 firms, and data are collected through structured questionnaires administered to supply chain managers and procurement officers. The questionnaire items are adapted from validated scales related to SRM dimensions—such as communication, trust, and joint problem-solving—and resilience indicators, including supply continuity, flexibility, and recovery speed. Prior to distribution, instruments undergo content and construct validity assessments, as well as reliability testing via Cronbach’s alpha, ensuring robustness of measurement. Quantitative data are analyzed using multiple regression analysis to examine direct relationships, while hierarchical moderation analysis using PROCESS macro investigates the influence of organisational culture and supply chain complexity as moderating variables. The anticipated findings suggest that specific SRM practices significantly and positively affect supply chain resilience, with trust and collaborative communication demonstrating the strongest effects. The analysis is expected to reveal that organizational culture characterized by openness and commitment amplifies the positive impact of SRM on resilience, whereas high supply chain complexity may attenuate this relationship. These results will provide nuanced insights into the interplay between supplier relationship dynamics and resilience capabilities, filling extant gaps in empirical studies that predominantly focus on developed country contexts. This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by integrating relevant theories—specifically the Relational View and Resource-Based View—to develop a comprehensive conceptual framework illustrating how relational resources foster resilience. It advances practical understanding by offering evidence-based recommendations for supply chain managers on implementing targeted SRM practices that bolster resilience amid disruptions. The study advocates for strategic investment in trust-building and joint problem-solving initiatives, as well as fostering organizational cultures conducive to collaboration. Conclusively, the findings affirm that effective SRM substantially enhances supply chain resilience, thereby enabling firms to better withstand and recover from disruptions. It is recommended that firms prioritize long-term supplier relationships and embed SRM practices within strategic planning. Policymakers and industry associations are also urged to facilitate knowledge sharing and capacity building initiatives aimed at strengthening relational capabilities in supply chains. Further research is suggested to explore longitudinal effects and validate these relationships across different industries and geographic regions, thereby enriching the global discourse on resilient supply chain management.