Buyer – supplier relationships and quality of goods purchased in relief organizations: a case of Medecins sans Frontiers’ operations in Uganda

Abstract

The study aimed at assessing the effect of buyer-supplier relationships on quality of goods purchased in relief organisations in Uganda, with Medecins Sans Frontiers as a case study. The study was guided by four objectives: assessing the effect of adversarial-buyer supplier relationship on quality of goods purchased at Medecins Sans Frontiers, analysing the effect of partnership buyer supplier relationship on the quality of goods purchased at Medecins Sans Frontiers; examining the effect of collaborative buyer supplier relationship on quality of goods purchased at Medecins Sans Frontiers; and finally evaluating the moderating effect of Commitment in buyer-supplier relationships and quality of goods purchased at Medecins Sans Frontiers. The most important variables were adversarial, partnership, collaborative buyer supplier relationship and commitment as a moderator factor on quality of goods purchased. The social exchange theory and balance theory were applied to explain the relationship between suppliers and MSF as the buying organisation. Data was collected by use of questionnaires and interview guide. It was established that quality was affected by buyer supplier relationship between Medecins Sans Frontiers as the buying organisation and its suppliers. Relief organisations should appreciate the aspect of buyer supplier relationships as buying organisations in order to get value for donor’s hard earned money. In summary both partnership and collaborative buyer supplier relationships are very crucial in as far as improving of the quality aspect of supplies is concerned as suppliers are more loyal and guarantee quality compared to the traditional most commonly used form of adversarial buyer supplier relationship.