The Assessment of the Buyer-Supplier Relationship Risk Based on Social Capital

Buyers must identify and assess the risks of buyer-supplier relationship to reduce risks and dissatisfaction. The purpose of this study is to propose a risk assessment model for buyer-supplier relationships based on social capital, because in additions to benefits, social capital has risks that can reduce the company’s performance. However, no risk assessment model has been proposed for it so far. The method used in this study included three stages. In the first stage, the risk factors and their classification were identified based on library research. Then, after consulting with experts, questionnaires whose validity and reliability had been confirmed were distributed to collect expert opinions through the Delphi method in order to achieve a consensus on the risk factors of social capital in the industrial equipment manufacturing industry. The second step involved determining the importance of risk factors through the risk matrix and then assessing the risk based on the fuzzy expert system using MATLAB software. The output of the risk matrix was ​​entered into the fuzzy expert system and the risk of relationship was calculated by the system so that the decision-making team could make decisions for suppliers whose relationship risk was at an unacceptable level. In the third stage of the research, the model was validated. Comparing the output of the model with the experts' opinions showed that they were similar. Then, we propose that it is possible to assess the risk of relationships based on social capital in the buyer organization without experts and to decide about continuing cooperation with suppliers.