What are the potential sources of conflict between buyer and supplier?

Conflicts arise in procurement when risks, costs, or gains are not fairly shared, creating perceptions of exploitation. Another frequent source is late payment of supplier invoices, which damages trust and supplier cash flow. Scheduling or early involvement, by contrast, usually supports collaboration unless poorly managed. Conflict is natural in negotiations due to divergent interests, but recognising sources allows proactive management. Skilled negotiators use integrative approaches to turn potential conflict into opportunity, aligning incentives and ensuring fairness.