the ties that bind - Economic Growth - usaid

Areas of Future Research
This research identified factors that determine the long-run success of an international
buyer-supplier relationship. In turning the issues raised here into practical strategies and
actions, a number of topics may deserve more focused research. Areas of follow-on
research include:
Techniques for understanding and aligning commercial incentives in a buyersupplier
relationship
Effectiveness of third party certification and verification processes: what are the
characteristics of successful certification processes?
Specific needs for different types of suppliers: expand the case studies to
understand how the facilitation needs of each supplier differ by size, type of
business, market, etc.
Circumstances in which MSEs can take part in international value chains, and
conditions in which the environment and market dynamics create obstacles for
MSE participation
Facilitation and risk management: what are the right and wrong ways for a
facilitator to assist the supplier in managing the risk of the relationship?
Beyond the contract:
How can initial agreements be structured to maximize the chances that
the relationship will work and hold up over time?
How can an agreement be structured to maximize the building of the
supplier‟s capability?
How does success in the first relationship contribute to the ability of the
supplier to other buyers in the future?
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