Abstract:
Despite the supermarkets contribution to the economy, their supplier performance has
not been impressive. They are experiencing various difficulties in improving their
supplier performance. However, some challenges are being attributed on supplier
performance; this includes poor output quality, raw material duplication, late
deliveries, late delivery, delivery unreliability, order incompleteness, high prices,
failure to match specifications and late payments. Therefore, the study's primary
purpose was to establish the effect of the buyer-supplier relationship trait, information
technology and supplier performance among supermarkets in Uasin Gishu county,
Kenya. The study has guided by theory of constraint, resource-based theory and
theory of reasoned action. The study has been carried out using an explanatory
research design. The target population for this study was 468 supermarkets. The
sample size for the survey was 216 supermarkets. The study adopted stratified and
simple random sampling methods to select the supermarkets per Sub County. Primary
data was collected using questionnaires. The validity test has been carried out using
factor analysis and correlation, while the reliability test has been carried out using
Cronbach's Alpha. Primary data was used to collect data through distributing
questionnaire to respondents (stores managers, sole proprietors and purchasing
managers). The collected data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential
statistics. Descriptive statistics were frequency, mean, standard deviation, and
percentage. The inferential analysis was done through correlation and hierarchical
moderating regression analysis. The data analyzed has been presented in tables. The
study findings revealed that Trust positively and significantly affected supplier
performance (β 1 =0.146, p<0.05). Commitment positively and significantly affects
supplier performance (β 2 =0.376, p<0.05). Mutual goal positively and significantly
affected business performance (β 3 =0.104, p<0.05). Information technology had an
enhancing moderating effect on the relationship between trust and supplier
performance (R 2 change =0.010). Information technology had an enhancing
moderating effect on the relationship between commitment and supplier performance
(R 2 change=0.014). Information technology had an enhancing moderating effect on
the relationship between mutual goal and supplier performance (R 2 change=0.008).
The study concluded that buyer supplier relationships traits are very significant in
enhancing the performance of supermarkets. Trust encourages individuals to take
risks and explore new ideas and trust mitigates the fear of failure and creates an
environment conducive to learning and growth. Through commitment it allows an
organization to meet its goals and stick to its vision position and organizations should
working toward common goals helps create an overall sense of purpose and meaning
within a team. The study therefore recommends that there is need for supermarkets to
have a long-term partnership with the major suppliers and aim at giving maximum
attention to the relationship with suppliers so as to maintain it and enhance
competitive advantage which will lead to improved supplier performance. It is also
recommended that this study be replicated in different business sectors within other
regions.