Tools

UNIDO Methodology

Standard instruments and methods

In the framework of the SPX programme, UNIDO has developed a wide range of tools, instruments and methods for the development of industrial subcontracting, sourcing and partnership relations as follows:

  • Policy issues and industrial legislation;
  • Guide on the creation and operation of SPXs;
  • Computer programmes for database management
  • Subcontracting nomenclatures and terminologies;
  • Legal statutes for establishing autonomous SPXs;
  • Legal guidelines and model contracts for establishing subcontracting agreements;
  • Guidelines on the organization of subcontracting fairs;
  • Brochures and videotapes that draw attention to the advantages of subcontracting and partnership.

Each SPX component comprises a definite set of tools, methodologies and applications as listed hereunder:

SPX Matchmaking: Within each national SPX Centre, a local team, supported by UNIDO, works to link buyers to both current and potential suppliers and subcontractors. The team develops profiles of the skills and capacities of local companies to be promoted among buyers based on the UNIDO SPX Profiling tool and provides customized support to buyers looking for competitive local suppliers. SPX Centres also use the SPX Management Information System which helps them to build a database of local enterprise capacity, develop their technical support to SMEs and collate requests for quotations (RFQs) and provide a gateway to international benchmarking and information resources. SPX Offices are also encouraged to implement SPX methodologies and approaches aimed for Buyer Engagement in the SPX  process, thereby matching buyers with profiled suppliers in the SPX database.

 

SPX Benchmarking: Through the utilisation of the unique UNIDO SPX Benchmarking Tool, SPX Benchmarking compares the operational performance of a company (its results) and practices (how it does things) against those of other companies of a similar size and type. This enables companies to objectively assess their businesses, to see clearly where they stand in relation to international practices within their sector, and where they need to upgrade to meet buyer requirements. The UNIDO SPX programme works with leading international partners to ensure that companies have access to the best systems and the best plant-level data when they undertake this process. The supplier benchmarking module is complemented by a module which captures the requirements of buyers in terms of supplier practices and performance.

 

Supplier Capacity-building and development: Where SPX Matchmaking helps identify new buyers for its supplier clients, and SPX Benchmarking provides a diagnosis of where they need to upgrade to meet buyer requirements, SPX Capacity-building supports them in upgrading to meet these requirements. SPX offices act as clearing house following SPX methodology with the collating and provision of information about service providers at the national and regional level, as well as linking to stakeholder institutions engaged in the enterprise upgrading and technology development.  SPX offices assist enterprises with the formulation of investment proposals, mobilizing finance and in the identification of technology partners. The local SPX team can therefore mobilize locally-available support organizations for enterprise development and finance to respond to the needs identified by the benchmarking diagnosis.

 

Important Note:  Documents, guides and manuals describing and presenting the UNIDO SPX methodology and tools form part of a package of a Technical Assistance (TA) support which can only be provided to institutions once these start implementing the SPX programme. Technical Assistance support comprises technical expertise and specialized training provided by UNIDO.

UNIDO's Strategy Approach

Building up the supply: SPX Development and Networks

Establishing and reinforcing Subcontracting and Partnership Exchanges (SPXs), designed to facilitate production linkages between small, medium and large manufacturing firms and to link up with global markets and value chains. SPXs are technical information, and matchmaking centres for industrial subcontracting and partnerships between buyers and suppliers, aiming at optimising the manufacturing capacities of the affiliated industries.

The SPX global network development contributes to develop and improve the efficiency of the global outsourcing and suppliers network through the development of SPX Offices in the different countries and regions. UNIDOs methodology and the well-established global network have now emerged as a vital support mechanism for industrial subcontracting and partnership promotion.