To read this content please select one of the options below:

Republic Electric: energizing vendor assessment

John E. Timmerman (School of Business, The Citadel, Charleston, South Carolina, USA)
Serhiy Y. Ponomarov (School of Business, The Citadel, Charleston, South Carolina, USA)
Frank Morris (School of Business, The Citadel, Charleston, South Carolina, USA)

Publication date: 3 January 2017

Abstract

Synopsis

Republic Electric is faced with the need to engage in a systematic process of evaluating vendors for its just-in-time manufacturing. The case gives students the opportunity to think through the process for vendor selection in the context of real-world constraints for a specific organization, to become acquainted with the Delphi technique for developing consensus, to gain hands-on experience with linear averaging, to engage in calculations of value indexes, and to recognize the marketing implications of effectively evaluating vendors. A key takeaway for students is the fact that vendor selection decisions are multifaceted and will vary among organizations depending on each organization’s particular strategic needs, operational constraints, and human judgment.

Research methodology

The case is based upon a consulting assignment with the company that is represented by Republic Electric. The experience was gained first-hand by one of the authors.

Relevant courses and levels

This case is targeted at undergraduate students in marketing, materials management, supply chain management, and purchasing, but can work well in a variety of business courses in which supply chains or the development of evaluation tools is studied, to include graduate classes.

Theoretical bases

The concept of vendor assessment is well developed in the literature and represents a pragmatic, but often neglected, step in the practice of choosing suppliers.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The names of the institutions and individuals involved have been disguised, however the material facts of the case are authentic.

Disclaimer. This case is written solely for educational purposes and is not intended to represent successful or unsuccessful managerial decision making. The author/s may have disguised names; financial, and other recognizable information to protect confidentiality.

Citation

Timmerman, J.E., Ponomarov, S.Y. and Morris, F. (2017), "Republic Electric: energizing vendor assessment", , Vol. 13 No. 1, pp. 87-101. https://doi.org/10.1108/TCJ-12-2015-0080

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited

Related articles