Supply chain quality management: An inter-organizational learning perspective

Purpose: This paper aims to develop a theoretical base for supply chain quality from the learning perspective. Through utilizing the relational view of inter-organizational competitive advantage, the paper identifies learning-driven practices that influence buyer-supplier performance outcomes. Design/methodology/approach: A review of the literature in quality management, supply chain management and strategic management is conducted to develop key practices associated with quality management in a supply chain environment. Findings: The findings suggest that quality management facilitates cooperative learning and improves inter-organizational learning processes. At the supply chain level, it enhances supply chain satisfaction and supply chain performance. Originality/value: The study contributes to our understanding of quality management practices within a supply chain environment from an inter-organizational learning perspective. It extends the concept of quality to the supply chain through focusing on key practices that influence the quality of supply chain relationships.