Adaptations in a supplier‐manufacturer network: a research note

The purpose of this paper is to examine suppliers' adaptation to a major buyer, and to contribute to the findings of past research.

The research is based on a survey conducted among the suppliers to a major manufacturing firm as well as personal interviews with key personnel in the buying firm.

It is found that the suppliers make major internal adaptations, and that the adaptations are beneficial for the suppliers.

The research adds to present insights by demonstrating that adaptations are purposeful and interrelated, and demonstrates that autonomous adaptations, as suggested in past research, may be inadequate to explain the dynamics of buyer‐supplier relationships.