The Effect of Information Technology on Arms‐Length Buyer‐Supplier Relationship

This paper posits that arm’s length buyer‐supplier relationship as the intermediate type between market exchange relations and strategic partnership might be advisable, and information technology may have a role as a mechanism actualizing the effects of such arm’s length relationship by strategic supply‐line diversification. Based on the theoretical analysis on interactive feedback relationships among IT level, buyer‐supplier relationships, and supply chain structure, we suggest a set of advisable buyer‐supplier relationship type for efficient supply chain management. Also, doing so would be helpful in suggesting a dynamic IT investment and adoption model appropriate for the establishment of productive buyer‐supplier relationship, and further in providing theoretical foundations and practical guidelines on the role and function of B‐to‐B E‐commerce for efficient SC integration.