The process of buyer-supplier collaboration to innovation: a study of Brazil-China electronics industry

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to study the process of collaboration for innovation in a Brazilian electronics company with its Chinese suppliers, specifically in the bonds generated for the development of new products.Methodology: Firstly, it brings the theoretical ground about this field of study, related to the collaborative ties for the development of new products with international suppliers, focusing on the learning processes and innovation capacity. For the data collection, twelve interviews were made with internal actors and Chinese suppliers, as well as documental research. The data analysis was descriptive and interpretative through categorical content analysis.Findings: This study results show that the company does not have a solid supplier database nor stimulate internal collaborative practices of portfolio definition, which makes products sourcing slow and inefficient. In regards to the collaboration with suppliers, the interactions are reactive and focused on problem-solving. Besides, regarding the new product developments with suppliers, there is no formal policy that values learning processes and knowledge sharing practices internally.Originality/Value: These glimpses the possibility of improving the collaboration processes with suppliers regarding new products’ development impacting on the time-to-market and innovation capacity.