Delineating the "Ease of Doing Business" Construct within the Supplier-Customer Interface

SUMMARY The current research provides insight into the “ease of doing business” construct. Factor analysis of survey responses of supply managers in the electronics industry was used to test the proposed “ease of doing business” construct, which includes the three dimensions — information and material services, financial contract services and personal relations services. Results support a link between a customer's assessment of a supplier's “ease of doing business” and the amount of business conducted with that supplier. The attributes supported by this research provide the means for managers to improve and grow business with customers.