Triads in Lean Management: Analyzing Buyer–Supplier-Supplier and Buyer–Supplier-Supplier’s Supplier Relationships for Zero-Defect Manufacturing

Abstract Many studies on buyer–supplier-supplier triads demonstrate the value of interactions between three business actors instead two for identifying triadic collaboration strategies that can lead firms to improve their performance. However, there is little research date has explored which specific lean improvements various types to. This paper fills this gap. We study an automotive supplier manufacturing company (the buyer) and its seven emerging from buyers’ attempt implement zero-defect (ZDM) in production process a crash management system. The case shows how buyer manages first-tier suppliers through closed triads, where all collaborate work common goal ZDM. also four additional open relies manage second-tier without directly interacting with latter. discusses what seem be associated efforts achieve following sub-goals ZDM: full automation, line flexibility, product low cost, defect rate, short cycle time, minimum quality control. Finally, we analyze role geographic proximity ZDM triads.