Influence of contingent factors on the perceived level of supplier integration: A contingency perspective

Research on the impact of supplier integration on new 'product development has yet to be empirically verified. This study aims to explore what contingent factors influence supplier integration and how such integration affects new product performance using a contingency approach. The study uses structural equation modelling to analyze data from 251 manufacturers. We found that product newness, environmental uncertainty, and internal coordination affect supplier integration, which in turn improves new product performance. The results not only confirm the contingent factors and influence of supplier contribution on new product development but also provide new insights for future research. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.