Description: the extent to which the organizational values between a social enterprise and its supplier are compatible when forming the supply relationship

We assign (L) when there is a low level of value alignment between a social enterprise and its supplier. For example, there is a limited to no requirement for the supplier’s commitment to sustainability in general or to a specific social issue; or the selected supplier treats the collaboration as a way of green-washing and image building

We assign (M) when there is a medium level of value alignment between a social enterprise and its supplier. For example, there is a certain level of emphasis on the supplier’s commitment to sustainability in general or to a specific social issue; the buying social enterprise uses sustainability certificates as an order qualifier for selection; or the selected supplier collaborates with the buying social enterprise to achieve corporate social responsibility

We assign (H) when there is a high level of value alignment between a social enterprise and its supplier. For example, there is a systematic assessment to check suppliers’ understanding of the social missions of a social enterprise; the selected supplier has shown a shared understanding of the buying social enterprise’s social missions; or the supplier has an outstanding sustainability performance

Description: The extent to which a social enterprise and its supplier aim for a close, mutually beneficial, and long-term supply relationship

We assign (L) when the social enterprises select suppliers only for a short-term exchange of goods and services to meet an emerging demand or to avoid a shortage of production (an arm-length relationship with a narrow strategic focus)

We assign (M) when there is a strong intention for a long-term collaboration from both parties, but they lack a co-development plan at the evaluation stage

We assign (H) when a buyer-supplier relationship is aiming for long-term collaboration and there is a specific development plan designed during the evaluation stage

Description: the extent to which a social enterprise and its supplier need the resources of each other (e.g. quality, delivery, or technology), and the buyer-supplier agreement will provide them access to these resources in need

We assigned (L) to cases where the product or service quality is poor, the delivery of final products is not guaranteed, or there is little to no knowledge transferred within the buyer-supplier relationship

We assign (M) to cases where the product or service quality is acceptable, the delivery of final products is mostly on time, and there is basic knowledge transferred within the buyer-supplier relationship

We assign (H) to cases where the product or service quality is excellent, the delivery of final products is always available and on time, and there is substantial knowledge transferred within the buyer-supplier relationship

Description: the extent to which a competitive price is required by a social enterprise when assessing the suitability of potential suppliers

We assign (L) when the focal social enterprise has a low level of emphasis on the cost and has clearly expressed the willingness to pay suppliers a higher price than the market average for the achievement of their social mission

We assign (M) when the focal social enterprise has an intermediate level of emphasis on the cost and only wants to pay a bit higher for the exchange of better-quality products, quicker delivery, or a long-term relationship

We assign (H) when the focal social enterprise has a high level of emphasis on the cost and has shown a strong emphasis on a competitive price from the potential suppliers to make the selection decision