Unpacking the nice-to-have and must-have antecedents and outcomes of supplier commitment

Purpose Using the resource dependency theory and a multi-method approach, this study examined the antecedents and outcomes of supplier commitment among manufacturing firms in Ghana. We developed a model comprising six hypotheses, examining buyer satisfaction, buyer commitment, long-term orientation and trust as antecedents, process quality performance and flexibility performance as outcomes of supplier commitment. Design/methodology/approach The proposed model was validated using survey data from 300 procurement and supply chain managers of manufacturing firms in Ghana. Structural equation modeling using Amos software and necessary condition analysis (NCA) was employed to analyze the data. Findings The findings show that buyer commitment, trust and long-term orientation are significant drivers of supplier commitment, whereas buyer satisfaction did not significantly enhance supplier commitment among manufacturing firms. Additionally, supplier commitment significantly drove flexibility and process quality performance. The NCA results further reveal that buyer satisfaction, long-term orientation, trust and buyer commitment are must-have (necessary) conditions for supplier commitment. Practical implications This study calls for procurement managers of manufacturing firms to consider developing tiered implementation strategies that account for the differential requirements for supplier commitment. For instance, policies could mandate minimum thresholds for buyer satisfaction, long-term orientation, trust and buyer commitment-building programs while simultaneously creating incentive structures that encourage both suppliers and buyers to exceed these baselines. This structured approach could contribute to building a committed supplier base, which is necessary for enhancing flexibility and process quality performance among manufacturing firms. Originality/value This study is among the first attempts to offer empirical evidence (via SEM and NCA) of nice-to-have and must-have antecedents and outcomes of supplier commitment among manufacturing firms. The study is the first to demonstrate the existence of critical thresholds and complex interactions that emerge at different levels of commitment, challenging simplistic models of organizational interactions. The paper offers a fresh insight for managers in manufacturing firms that suggests that the most productive relationships exist not at extreme levels of commitment, but in a more balanced, intermediate zone of engagement.