Impact of the supplier certification program in US firms

The supplier certification program has been expanding in recent years in US industries, as they attempt to gain a competitive edge in the world market. The supplier certification program seeks to improve quality and on-time delivery, to share technology, to establish a long-term and stable relationship with a few suppliers, and to reduce cost. This study investigates whether the supplier certification program is effective or not. The survey responses from 328 eastern and mid-western manufacturing firms indicate that the program has a significant impact on quality, on-time delivery, cooperation and price.