Research opportunities in supply chain management

ORiON, 2009

There have been advances in the understanding of supply chain management (SCM) since its inception in the early-1980s. However, there are still some basic issues of SCM that remain unresolved. Much of the research that has been conducted takes one or more of the following three perspectives: (1) development of methods and techniques to study SCM and its components/processes; (2) developing solutions or answers to specific supply chainrelated problems or challenges; and/or (3) measuring the results or outcomes of supply chain strategies and tactics. Each of these three perspectives is briefly examined, with selected examples from the literature cited to illustrate the type of research that has been conducted. Some potential areas of research exploration are presented. The areas examined include: theory development, and SCM processes and functions.

Increasing global cooperation, vertical disintegration and a focus on core activities have led to the notion that firms are links in a networked supply chain. This strategic viewpoint has created the challenge of coordinating effectively the entire supply chain, from upstream to downstream activities. While supply chains have existed ever since businesses have been organized to bring products and services to customers, the notion of their competitive advantage, and consequently supply chain management (SCM), is a relatively recent thinking in management literature. Although research interests in and the importance of SCM are growing, scholarly materials remain scattered and disjointed, and no research has been directed towards a systematic identification of the core initiatives and constructs involved in SCM. Thus, the purpose of this study is to develop a research framework that improves understanding of SCM and stimulates and facilitates researchers to undertake both theoretical and empirical investigation on the critical constructs of SCM, and the exploration of their impacts on supply chain performance. To this end, we analyse over 400 articles and synthesize the large, fragmented body of work dispersed across many disciplines such as purchasing and supply, logistics and transportation, marketing, organizational dynamics, information management, strategic management, and operations management literature.

Over the past decade, the traditional purchasing and logistics functions have evolved into a broader strategic approach to materials and distribution management known as supply chain management. This research reviews the literature base and development of supply chain management from two separate paths that eventually merged into the modern era of a holistic and strategic approach to operations, materials and logistics management. In addition, this article attempts to clearly describe supply chain management since the literature is replete with buzzwords that address elements or stages of this new management philosophy. This article also discusses various supply chain management strategies and the conditions conducive to supply chain management.

Supply chain management (SCM) is not a static concept or solution, continuous advances and innovative applications of SCM are proposed every day. SCM is not a concept without problems. These problems include the lack of a universally accepted definition of SCM, the existence of several different and competing frameworks for SCM and Key factor. Each organization has its unique supply chain structure so the critical factors that influence its performance also vary from organization to organization. Hence, this study focused on review of the existing SCM strategies adopted by different sectors.

Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 2009

Supply chains and supply chain management are important areas of business practice and scholarship that overlap with the discipline and practice of marketing and marketing management. The co-editors of the Journal's Special Issue "Exploring the Relationship Between Marketing and Supply Chain Management" provide an introduction to the special issue, overview its contents and extend their appreciation to the authors, reviewers, editor and staff whose contributions and efforts made it possible.

In ongoing scenario, production and administration of a product or services and focus on core activities have lead to a perception that companies or firms are connected together in a network of supply chain. This created a challenge to coordinate the entire supply chain management in a fruitful manner. SCM has its roots since the business originated to provide product and services to the customers. SCM keeps on eye on the flow of information of goods and services in order to service maximum value to the customer. No research have been done till now which focuses on core initiative and constructs of SCM. The purpose of this study is to provide a criteria that flourishes knowledge of supply chain management and provide clear view to the researchers to understand the importance of theoretical investigation in different fields of supply chain management and explore the importance of its performance.. Keyword: Strategic purchasing in supply chain management; supply management; logistics integration; supply network coordination

The purpose of this research is to present the relationship between supply chain management (SCM) practices and supply chain responsiveness (SCR), and investigates its relationship with competitive advantage (CA). The data collection instrument used was a questionnaire which was administrated to a total sample of 200 managers. The response rate was 70% while 60% was usable questionnaires. Sample selection was based on convenience sampling. The analyses involved statistical methods such as reliability and validity tests and multiple regressions. The results indicated that SCM practices are related to SCR. The result also suggested that SCR is related to CA.

2016

Supply Chain Management (SCM) has been widely researched in numerous application domains during the last two decades. Despite the popularity of SCM research and applications, considerable confusion remains as to its meaning. There are several attempts made by researchers and practitioners to appropriately define SCM, particularly for the service industries. This paper represents the evolution of Supply Chain Management (SCM) as the latest innovations of management. The chronological prospective of SCM in different areas of manufacturing and service industries through various time frames have been illustrated. Finally, this study demonstrates Integrated Tertiary Educational Supply Chain Management (ITESCM) model as the application of SCM in the service industry, which would unlock other applications of SCM in different arenas, particularly service industries. KeywordsSupply chain Management, ITESCM, service industry, education, evolution, SCM

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to provide academics and practitioners a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the benefits, barriers, and bridges to successful collaboration in strategic supply chains. Design/methodology/approach – A triangulation method consisting of a literature review, a cross‐functional mail survey, and 51 in‐depth case analyses was implemented. Senior managers from purchasing, manufacturing, and logistics were targeted in the mail survey. The break down by channel category interviews is as follows: 14 retailers, 13 finished goods assemblers, 12 first‐tier suppliers, three lower‐tier suppliers, and nine service providers. Findings – Customer satisfaction and service is perceived as more enduring than cost savings. All managers recognize technology, information, and measurement systems as major barriers to successful supply chain collaboration. However, the people issues – such as culture, trust, aversion to change, and willingness to collaborate – are more intractable. People are the key bridge to successful collaborative innovation and should therefore not be overlooked as companies invest in supply chain enablers such as technology, information, and measurement systems. Research limitations/implications – The average mail‐survey response rate was relatively low: 23.5 percent. The case study analyses were not consistent in frequency across channel functions. Although the majority of companies interviewed and surveyed were international, all surveys and interviews were managers based in the US. Practical implications – This study provides new insight into understanding the success and hindering factors of supply chain management. The extensive literature review, the cross‐channel analysis, and case studies provide academics and managers a macro picture of the goals, challenges, and strategies for implementing supply chain management. Originality/value – This paper uses triangulation methodology for examining key issues of supply chain management at multiple levels within the supply chain.