For many years production management has no longer been confined to individual production facilities. Intensive cooperation with suppliers has become an integral part of production management. In recent years two further developments have gained ground. On the one hand enterprises have been specialising and concentrating on their core competencies with outsourcing as a consequence, on the other hand globalization has intensified the range of choice among suppliers. Increased dependence on suppliers called for new forms of cooperative ventures. Strategic and legal issues had to be considered...

For many years production management has no longer been confined to individual production facilities. Intensive cooperation with suppliers has become an integral part of production management. In recent years two further developments have gained ground. On the one hand enterprises have been specialising and concentrating on their core competencies with outsourcing as a consequence, on the other hand globalization has intensified the range of choice among suppliers. Increased dependence on suppliers called for new forms of cooperative ventures. Strategic and legal issues had to be considered...