Copyright: Wyższa Szkola Logistyki, Poznań, Polska Citation: Konecka S., Matulewski M., 2014, Competitive behaviour in supply chains. LogForum 10 (2), 125-133 URL: http://www.logforum.net/vol10/issue2/no1 Accepted: 02.01.2014, on-line: 30.03.2014. LogForum > Scientific Journal of Logistics < http://www.logforum.net p-ISSN 1895-2038 2014, 10 (2), 125-133 e-ISSN 1734-459X COMPETITIVE BEHAVIOUR IN SUPPLY CHAINS Sylwia Konecka, Marek Matulewski Higher School of Logistics, Poznan, Poland ABSTRACT. Background: The article deals with the results of literature and empirical research into competitiveness and behaviour of entities in supply chains. Methods: A research hypothesis has been formulated that both partnership as well as dominance relations occur between enterprises functioning as suppliers-consignees. In order to verify the hypothesis a survey was completed in 2012. It encompassed 116 enterprises (manufacturers - 33, service providers - 32 and sellers - 24 as well as enterprises selling goods and providing services - 27) of which 54 were large, 26 medium and 36 were small enterprises. Competitive behaviour in supply chains has been identified and analysed. Furthermore, the authors intended to identify, reveal and examine possible interdependences between competitive behaviour and behaviour typical of supply chain strategies. Results and conclusions: The analysis of survey results revealed a tendency to preserve equilibrium between a chain leader and dependent enterprises. It may be easily justified in practice as on the one hand there is a need to keep the supply chain competitive and on the other hand to avoid the interruptions, which could occur as a result of elimination of dependent enterprises. Key words: competitive behaviour, competitiveness, supply chains, supply chain strategy, bargaining power, bargaining position, leader. INTRODUCTION In accordance with the emergent approach [Cyrson 2011] it is assumed that supply chain strategies are a result of the behaviour of individual entity components of such chains. Obviously, the supply chain strategy is shaped under the influence of supply and demand as well as competition present in a given sector. However, the relationships between suppliers and consumers are also of some significance. In particular one must account for the usage of control measures and power by the supply chain leader. Reflections on participants' behaviour are a part of the analysis of supply chain strategies described in pertinent literature and are treated as one of the determinants of their formation. As such behaviour is collectively called competitive, the issue in question is discussed from the perspective of the concepts of competitiveness and competitive position, so the article deals with the results of literature and empirical research into competitiveness and behaviour of entities in supply chains. A research hypothesis has been formulated that both partnership as well as dominance relations occur between enterprises functioning as suppliers-consignees and even negative behaviour could be positive but in the widest perspective - perspective of supply chains. COMPETITIVENESS AND COMPETITIVE POSITION Definitions of competitiveness, which are to be found in pertinent literature, may be divided into two groups. One group contains definitions in accordance with which competitiveness is perceived as a feature of