Small Suppliers and JIT Purchasing

The just‐in‐time manufacturing philosophy has come into widespread use in the United States since it was introduced to American manufacturers in the late 1970s. In this article, the authors propose a model for describing the environment of JIT manufacturers and also the threats and opportunities created for their small suppliers. They explore approaches JIT buyers can use to create a relationship with small suppliers that is beneficial to both groups. The model serves as a basis for discussion and a framework for future studies.