Abstract
M.Com. (Business Management)
Background
Organisations today are often involved in client-supplier relationships with the
suppliers of services or products. The reason for this is that most organisations
would rather buy a service or product if it requires specialised knowledge and
constant research, as long as an effective supplier is available (Hugo, Van Biljon &
Badernhorst-Weiss, 2004: 51). In Eskom Power Delivery Projects (EPDP), there is a
capacity constraint on the prerequisite expertise and on the workforce responsible
for the physical construction of transmission lines and substations. Thus, the service
of physical construction of a transmission line and substation is insourced from a
supplier that provides the service.
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to establish how the client-supplier relationship is
established and managed in Eskom Power Delivery Projects (EPDP) for the supply
of a service or product.
Research method
The dissertation studies the process of establishing client-supplier relationship,
managing client-supplier relationship and managing supplier performance for the
supply of a service or product; and how this is applied in EPDP for the supply of a
service or product. To develop this understanding, it is necessary to conduct a
qualitative study; this is the reason why qualitative research methodology was used
in this dissertation.
Conclusion
Client-supplier relationship involves both the client and supplier. It needs to be
established on a fair basis to avoid conflicts during the supply of a service or product.
The client needs to provide the supplier with the scope of service which entails the
exact specifications of the required service or product and furthermore provides the
supplier with a time schedule that contains due dates by which the supplier is
required to deliver. The client needs to set the service or product delivery dates that
are realistic and consider the effort and time that is required by the supplier to do the...