Product architecture and supply chain design: a systematic review and research agenda

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 98-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Pashaei ◽  
Jan Olhager
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Search Strategy ◽  
Supply Chain Design ◽  
Product Architecture ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Supplier Relationships ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Focal Firm ◽  
Key Dimensions

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to systematically review the extant literature on the relationship between product architectures and supply chain design to identify gaps in the literature and identify future research opportunities. Design/methodology/approach – This paper examines the peer-reviewed literature on product architectures and supply chain written in English. The search strategy is based on selected databases and keywords. In total, 56 articles from 1995 to 2013 were identified. Findings – Three key dimensions are identified for the categorization of the literature: the type of product architecture, the type of supply chain and the research methodology. Furthermore, we identify themes related to outsourcing, supplier selection, supplier relationships, distance from focal firm and alignment. Research limitations/implications – The present search strategy may have missed some references that are related to the area. However, as a counter-measure, we used back-tracking and forward-tracking to identify additional relevant papers. A research agenda is proposed for further research on the interaction of product architectures and supply chain design. Originality/value – This paper is, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, the first broad review that investigates the interrelationship between product architectures and supply chain design.

The past and future of supply chain collaboration: a literature synthesis and call for research

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 508-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter M. Ralston ◽  
R. Glenn Richey ◽  
Scott J. Grawe
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Specific Factor ◽  
Supply Chain Collaboration ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Past ◽  
Future Research Agenda ◽  
Focal Firm

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide scholarly and practical benefits by detailing the past and suggesting a future research agenda for supply chain (SC) collaboration. A literature review is utilized to examine what has been investigated prior, and what remains to be analyzed, in order to assist today’s managers and researchers. The research expands the understanding of SC collaboration from a focal firm perspective while providing boundaries for future investigation and at the same time detailing the current state of collaboration to practitioners. Design/methodology/approach The current research utilizes a systematic review of the literature to shape a proposed research agenda on the topic of SC collaboration. Findings The paper provides insights into gaps in the literature as it pertains to SC collaboration. Specifically, the paper suggests investigating SC collaboration as it relates to perceived and real performance, understanding what know-how and commitment a focal firm must make to SC collaboration, and how to successfully navigate collaboration termination. Research limitations/implications This manuscript makes four specific contributions to the literature. First, it provides the first holistic graphic depiction of the central constructs employed in extant SC collaboration research. Next it examines three specific factor areas influencing collaboration. Overlooked issues are then revealed as suggestions for future research in SC collaboration. Finally, the method employed to conduct the systematic literature review can be used as a blueprint for future researchers in performing a similar exercise. Practical implications The current research seeks to provide a research agenda which meets the needs of today’s business managers. Originality/value The paper provides a suggested research agenda for SC collaboration.

scholarly journals Reading on and between the lines: risk identification in collaborative and adversarial buyer–supplier relationships

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 351-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiyi Fan ◽  
Mark Stevenson
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Risk Identification ◽  
Social Capital Theory ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Supplier Relationships ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Signalling Theory ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to investigate how supply chain risks can be identified in both collaborative and adversarial buyer–supplier relationships (BSRs). Design/methodology/approach This research includes a multiple-case study involving ten Chinese manufacturers with two informants per organisation. Data have been interpreted from a multi-level social capital perspective (i.e. from both an individual and organisational level), supplemented by signalling theory. Findings Buyers use different risk identification strategies or apply the same strategy in different ways according to the BSR type. The impact of organisational social capital on risk identification is contingent upon the degree to which individual social capital is deployed in a way that benefits an individual’s own agenda versus that of the organisation. Signalling theory generally complements social capital theory and helps further understand how buyers can identify risks, especially in adversarial BSRs, e.g. by using indirect signals from suppliers or other supply chain actors to “read between the lines” and anticipate risks. Research limitations/implications Data collection is focussed on China and is from the buyer side only. Future research could explore other contexts and include the supplier perspective. Practical implications The types of relationships that are developed by buyers with their supply chain partners at an organisational and an individual level have implications for risk exposure and how risks can be identified. The multi-level analysis highlights how strategies such as employee rotation and retention can be deployed to support risk identification. Originality/value Much of the extant literature on supply chain risk management is focussed on risk mitigation, whereas risk identification is under-represented. A unique case-based insight is provided into risk identification in different types of BSRs by using a multi-level social capital approach complemented by signalling theory.

Borrowing theories in humanitarian supply chain management

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 281-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tunca Tabaklar ◽  
Árni Halldórsson ◽  
Gyöngyi Kovács ◽  
Karen Spens
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Theoretical Point ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Humanitarian Supply Chain ◽  
Humanitarian Supply Chain Management

Purpose – Within the emerging research field of humanitarian supply chain management (HSCM) the use of existing theoretical concepts and frameworks to provide explanation and understanding of the phenomena under scrutiny is not yet well understood. There is still a lack of research on which theoretical approaches are used in this field, and to what extent this emerging field “borrows” theories from other disciplines. The purpose of this paper is therefore to deepen the understanding of HSCM from a theoretical point of view by identifying and evaluating the use of theories in HSCM literature. Design/methodology/approach – A literature review is conducted based on academic journal articles included in a well-recognised and publicly available bibliography on HSCM articles (Tatham, 2015). A content analysis is applied to the articles in terms of level of theory, research methodology, disaster management stages, disaster types, and disaster name/region. Findings – A trend towards using more established, “middle- range” theories, is evident. However, the use of theoretical approaches is not evenly spread between the different phases of disaster relief. A strong emphasis on SCM as a background discipline is also mirrored in the choice of theories used, which indicates the solidification of humanitarian logistics as a primarily supply chain discipline. The lack of use of other theoretical perspectives and grand theories is, however, still evident, which provides an interesting research agenda for future research. Research limitations/implications – The use of the bibliography limits the generalisation of the findings although some trends are evident. Originality/value – This is a first review of theories used in HSCM. It provides an overview of the state of the art of HSCM research but contributes to the maturation of research in this field. The paper concludes with a research agenda.

Supply chain management at the base of the pyramid

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 438-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy L. Tate ◽  
Lydia Bals ◽  
Donna Marshall
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Demand Side ◽  
Base Of The Pyramid ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Global Sustainability ◽  
Future Research Agenda ◽  
Bop Markets

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to compile a set of articles tackling supply chain issues in BOP contexts that address both demand and supply. Solutions are needed for global sustainability problems from medical aid and food availability to the ability to participate in supply chains for the global poor. Design/methodology/approach The accepted articles in the special issue used a range of qualitative and quantitative methodologies to answer research questions in a variety of base of the pyramid (BOP) contexts. These approaches and results distinguish between demand (BOP market) and supply, or base of the chain (BOC), perspectives. Findings The findings in the eight accepted marticles are interesting and applicable across different BOP contexts. Compilation of the articles into the special issue and the accompanying editorial led to a comprehensive future research agenda that addresses demand-side issues by investigating the customers in BOP markets, and supply-side issues focusing on the suppliers and intermediaries (BOC) who supply BOP markets. Future research ideas include a focus on supply chain design issues situated at the intersection of the demand (BOP) and the supply (BOC) concerns that address the needs of the world’s poorest populations. Research limitations/implications All of the selected articleshave societal implications related to addressing the needs of BOP populations. Many of these articles also have economic and environmental implications, the other two pillars of the triple bottom line. The detailed future research agenda developed in this editorial presents implications for researchers working in emerging and BOP communities to push research forward and further develop the foundational literature in the BOP context. Practical implications From a practical standpoint, each of the eight articles presents ideas for businesses that help address the needs of the global poor while enhancing global sustainability performance. The editorial summarizes these implications and provides new directions and examples of success in the BOP context. Managers are provided with techniques to address the supply and demand side of these growing markets. Originality/value The overall conceptual framework and positioning of the final papers into the BOP market, BOC suppliers and a combination of the two is novel and helps provide guidance to both scholars and managers.

Information sharing in supply chains, myth or reality? A critical analysis of empirical literature

2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 179-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joakim Kembro ◽  
Dag Näslund
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Information Sharing ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Main Body ◽  
Supplier Relationships ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate what empirical evidence exists regarding benefits of information sharing in supply chains, and to identify potential gaps and opportunities in this research area. Design/methodology/approach – The authors conducted an in-depth, systematic literature review and multilevel analysis of 82 selected articles. In the analysis, the authors investigated: whether the articles applied the supply chain as the unit of analysis; the selected research method; whether the articles applied the supply chain as the unit of data collection (i.e. collected data from three or more different companies); and finally, aspects of information sharing – including benefits. Findings – Despite anecdotal descriptions of benefits from information sharing in supply chains, the authors could not find empirical evidence to support these claims. Rather, the main body of literature reports on a focal company's perspective on traditional buyer-supplier relationships. Research limitations/implications – Given the lack of evidence for the claimed benefits of information sharing on a supply chain level, more research is needed in this field. The authors therefore propose an agenda for future research building on four key points. Originality/value – Contrary to popular belief, empirical evidence for benefits of information sharing in supply chains does not seem to exist. This article highlights an issue previously not addressed with a systematic in-depth review and analysis of empirical articles.

scholarly journals Pandemic-induced knowledge gaps in operations and supply chain management: COVID-19’s impacts on retailing

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin C. Schleper ◽  
Stefan Gold ◽  
Alexander Trautrims ◽  
Duncan Baldock
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Business Leaders ◽  
Retail Industry ◽  
Future Research ◽  
External Shocks ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Impact Pathways

PurposeThis Impact Pathways paper aims to provide a timely and structured discussion of real-world problems at Marks and Spencer and in retail in general, evoked through the current COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThe article presents collaborative research based on more than five hours of interviews and several iterative paper writing steps between management scholars and Marks & Spencer’s Head of Procurement - Logistics and Supply Chain. Continuous discussions for more than ten months among the research team assure the timeliness and relevance of the findings. The exceptional position of the executive and his career biography allowed the integration of a variety of intra-organisational and inter-organisational stakeholders.FindingsThis paper highlights the impacts of the current COVID-19 pandemic on operations and supply chain management (OSCM) in the retail industry, structured in upstream, internal and operational, and downstream and customer perspectives. The paper concludes with a practice-infused research agenda, which aims to trigger relevant research about the current and potential future crises.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the research agenda is directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the retail industry, the future research pathways are expected to inform business responses to potential future external shocks other than pandemics and in different industries as well.Originality/valueDespite a plethora of studies already published on COVID-19 and OSCM, little is known on how the outbreak affects specific firms and industries. This paper offers an overview of COVID-19 related change as it happens at the retailer and in the retailing industry in general. This article is among the first to provide a practice-infused call for research on urgent issues being faced by business leaders directly relevant to our domain.

The COVID-19 response: considerations for future humanitarian supply chain and logistics management research

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise D.P. Thompson ◽  
Renata Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Future Research Agenda ◽  
Humanitarian Supply Chain ◽  
The Way

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is three-fold: (1) this editorial viewpoint gives context to the manuscripts included in this special issue on pandemics and epidemics. (2) The viewpoint frames a research agenda for the vital work necessary to understand and make the humanitarian supply chain more resilient. (3) The authors hope that the viewpoint as well as the included papers contribute to the dialogue and facilitate a research program over the short- to medium-term about mass complex disasters, including epidemics and pandemics, and their effects on the humanitarian supply chain and logistics.Design/methodology/approachThe paper examines COVID-19 response by focusing on the USA as a mini case study. It utilizes contemporaneous reporting in USA newspapers between February and July of 2020. Reports made during an incident or event provide some of the most accurate records of that event and point to gaps in our understanding of research in the humanitarian supply chain.FindingsThe novel COVID-19 pandemic highlights unanticipated ways that pandemics and epidemics impact HLSCM and display the supply chain's fragility in stark terms. The paper layouts some of the thematic issues that emerged from COVID-19 that could point the way for future research in the field in the short run.Research limitations/implicationsThe articles accessed for the paper dated February–July 2020. With the pandemic ongoing, many more thematic areas or more enduring ones might surface that could change the direction of the findings or recommendations. In addition, relying on secondary sources like newspapers for this research largely depends on the quality of the reports. Moreover, newspaper articles are not as scientifically robust as are academic journals as some. The viewpoints could be biased. It is also difficult to verify the best news sources, if they are not known a priori.Practical implicationsThematic lessons from America's COVID-19 impact set the stage for future research agenda in the humanitarian supply chain and logistics response over the next few years. There will be other pandemics. The question is not if, but when.Social implicationsThe COVID-19 pandemic makes it impossible for us to ignore the link between the global supply chain, natural and human-made disasters, including epidemics and pandemics, environmental degradation and deforestation.Originality/valueThe paper's originality lies it being one of the first, if not the first, to deal with this topic within the operations/logistics/supply chain management field. It therefore helps to pave the way for other perspectives and approaches to understand and advance the field of humanitarian logistics and supply chain management.

A review of Industry 4.0 in supply chain management studies

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 863-886 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chetna Chauhan ◽  
Amol Singh
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
English Language ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Unit Of Analysis ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Focal Firm

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess how the emergent theme of Industry 4.0 is considered in the context of supply chain management (SCM) and to identify important areas for future research. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review of 334 studies is carried out. The papers have been analyzed by having a focus on the unit of analysis, research methods used, the key themes covered and how the debate has evolved over a period of time. Findings Findings of the study reveal that scholars have so far focused on principles and practices for digitized SCM, identified enablers and barriers, and considered the Industry 4.0 at various levels, particularly at the firm level. Majority of studies focus on manufacturing from the perspective of the focal firm. Research limitations/implications Limitation of this study is its unit of analysis where only peer-reviewed journal and conference articles published in the English language have been considered. Practical implications This review identifies the important themes and areas for practitioners to consider vis-à-vis the implementation of Industry 4.0 standards in supply chains. The review provides insights into under-researched areas and highlights the need for future researchers to develop more practical models for guiding the implementation of Industry 4.0. Originality/value This paper is one among the few studies that assess the Industry 4.0 implementation in the context of SCM and provides insights and implications for further research.

scholarly journals Resource-efficient supply chains: a research framework, literature review and research agenda

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 218-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aristides Matopoulos ◽  
Ana Cristina Barros ◽  
J.G.A.J. (Jack) van der Vorst
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Resource Scarcity ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Key Characteristics

Purpose – The study aims to define a research agenda for creating resource-efficient supply chains (RESCs) by identifying and analysing their key characteristics as well as future research opportunities. Design/methodology/approach – We follow a systematic review method to analyse the literature and to understand RESC, taking a substantive theory approach. Our approach is grounded in a specific domain, the agri-food sector, because it is an intensive user of an extensive range of resources. Findings – The review shows that works of literature has looked at the use of resources primarily from the environmental impact perspective. There is a need to explore whether or not and how logistics/supply chain decisions will affect the overall configuration of future food supply chains in an era of resource scarcity and depletion and what the trade-offs will be. Research limitations/implications – The paper proposes an agenda for future research in the area of RESC. The framework proposed along with the key characteristics identified for RESC can be applied to other sectors. Practical implications – Our research should facilitate further understanding of the implications and trade-offs of supply chain decisions taken on the use of resources by supply chain managers. Originality/value – The paper explores the interaction between supply chains and natural resources and defines the key characteristics of RESC.

A fuzzy quantitative model for assessing the performance of pharmaceutical supply chain under uncertainty

Kybernetes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Firoz Ahmad ◽  
Boby John
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Design ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Programming Approach ◽  
Membership Functions ◽  
Pharmaceutical Supply Chain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Production And Distribution ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Demand Coverage

PurposeThis study aims to investigate a reliability-level demand-oriented pharmaceutical supply chain design with maximal anticipated demand coverage. Different hospitals with the particular reliability value associated with the various pharmaceutical items (PIs) are considered. An inter-connected multi-period supply chain comprising manufacturers, distribution centers, hospitals and patients is assumed for the smooth flow of health-care items, enhancing supply chain reliability. A reliability index for PIs is depicted to highlight product preference and facilitate hospitals’ service levels for patients.Design/methodology/approachA mixed-integer multi-objective programming problem that maximizes maximal demand coverage minimizes the total economic costs and pharmaceutical delivery time is depicted under intuitionistic fuzzy uncertainty. Further, a novel interactive neutrosophic programming approach is developed to solve the proposed pharmaceutical supply chain management (PSCM) model. Each objective’s marginal evaluation is elicited by various sorts of membership functions such as linear, exponential and hyperbolic types of membership functions and depicted the truth, indeterminacy and falsity membership degrees under a neutrosophic environment.FindingsThe proposed PSCM model is implemented on a real case study and solved using an interactive neutrosophic programming approach that reveals the proposed methods’ validity and applicability. An ample opportunity to generate the compromise solution is suggested by tuning various parameters. The outcomes are evaluated with practical managerial implications based on the significant findings. Finally, conclusions and future research scope are addressed based on the proposed work.Research limitations/implicationsThe propounded study has some limitations that can be addressed in future research. The discussed PSCM model can be merged with and extended by considering environmental factors such as the health-care waste management system, which is not included in this study. Uncertainty among parameters due to randomness can be incorporated and can be tackled with historical data. Besides, proposed interactive neutrosophic programming approach (INPA), various metaheuristic approaches may be applied to solve the proposed PSCM model as a future research scope.Practical implicationsThe strategy advised is to provide an opportunity to create supply chains and manufacturing within India by helping existing manufacturers to expand, identifying new manufacturers, hand-holding and facilitating, teams of officers, engineers and scientists deployed and import only if necessary to meet timelines. Thus, any pharmaceutical company or organization can adopt the production and distribution management initiatives amongst hospitals to strengthen and enable the pharmaceutical company while fighting fatal diseases during emergencies. Finally, managers or policy-makers can take advantage of the current study and extract fruitful pieces of information and knowledge regarding the optimal production and distribution strategies while making decisions.Originality/valueThis research work manifests the demand-oriented extension of the integrated PSCM design with maximum expected coverage, where different hospitals with pre-determined reliability values for various PIs are taken into consideration. The practical managerial implications are explored that immensely support the managers or practitioners to adopt the production and distribution policies for the PIs to ensure the sustainability in supply chain design.

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