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Supply chain evolution: Theory, concepts and science

MacCarthy, Bart ; Blome, Constantin ; Olhager, Jan LU orcid ; Srai, Jagjit and Zhao, Xiande (2016) In International Journal of Operations & Production Management 36(12). p.1696-1718
Abstract
Purpose – Supply chains evolve and change in size, shape and configuration, and in how they are coordinated, controlled and managed. Some supply chains are mature and relatively unchanging. Some are subject to significant change. New supply chains may emerge and evolve for a variety of reasons.
The purpose of this paper is to examine the nature of supply chain evolution and address the question “What makes a supply chain like it is?”
Design/methodology/approach – The paper analyses and develops key aspects, concepts and principal themes concerning the emergence and evolution of supply chains over their lifecycle.
Findings – The paper defines the supply chain lifecycle and identifies six factors that interact and may affect a... (More)
Purpose – Supply chains evolve and change in size, shape and configuration, and in how they are coordinated, controlled and managed. Some supply chains are mature and relatively unchanging. Some are subject to significant change. New supply chains may emerge and evolve for a variety of reasons.
The purpose of this paper is to examine the nature of supply chain evolution and address the question “What makes a supply chain like it is?”
Design/methodology/approach – The paper analyses and develops key aspects, concepts and principal themes concerning the emergence and evolution of supply chains over their lifecycle.
Findings – The paper defines the supply chain lifecycle and identifies six factors that interact and may affect a supply chain over its lifecycle – technology and innovation, economics, markets and competition, policy and regulation, procurement and sourcing, supply chain strategies and re-engineering. A number of emergent themes and propositions on factors affecting a supply chain’s characteristics over its lifecycle are presented. The paper argues that a new science is needed to investigate and understand the supply chain lifecycle.
Practical implications – Supply chains are critical for the world economy and essential for modern life. Understanding the supply chain lifecycle and how supply chains evolve provides new perspectives for contemporary supply chain design and management.
Originality/value – The paper presents detailed analysis, critique and reflections from leading researchers on emerging, evolving and mature supply chains.
Keywords Segmentation, Differentiation, Evolution, Supply Chain, Emergence, Life cycle
Paper type Research paper (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
International Journal of Operations & Production Management
volume
36
issue
12
pages
22 pages
publisher
Emerald Group Publishing Limited
external identifiers
  • scopus:84999027936
  • wos:000392169900003
ISSN
0144-3577
DOI
10.1108/IJOPM-02-2016-0080
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
58bf77fc-9074-40e0-9949-3a87be91eeea
date added to LUP
2016-12-26 13:39:33
date last changed
2023-03-13 18:05:01
@article{58bf77fc-9074-40e0-9949-3a87be91eeea,
  abstract     = {{Purpose – Supply chains evolve and change in size, shape and configuration, and in how they are coordinated, controlled and managed. Some supply chains are mature and relatively unchanging. Some are subject to significant change. New supply chains may emerge and evolve for a variety of reasons.<br/>The purpose of this paper is to examine the nature of supply chain evolution and address the question “What makes a supply chain like it is?”<br/>Design/methodology/approach – The paper analyses and develops key aspects, concepts and principal themes concerning the emergence and evolution of supply chains over their lifecycle.<br/>Findings – The paper defines the supply chain lifecycle and identifies six factors that interact and may affect a supply chain over its lifecycle – technology and innovation, economics, markets and competition, policy and regulation, procurement and sourcing, supply chain strategies and re-engineering. A number of emergent themes and propositions on factors affecting a supply chain’s characteristics over its lifecycle are presented. The paper argues that a new science is needed to investigate and understand the supply chain lifecycle.<br/>Practical implications – Supply chains are critical for the world economy and essential for modern life. Understanding the supply chain lifecycle and how supply chains evolve provides new perspectives for contemporary supply chain design and management.<br/>Originality/value – The paper presents detailed analysis, critique and reflections from leading researchers on emerging, evolving and mature supply chains.<br/>Keywords Segmentation, Differentiation, Evolution, Supply Chain, Emergence, Life cycle<br/>Paper type Research paper}},
  author       = {{MacCarthy, Bart and Blome, Constantin and Olhager, Jan and Srai, Jagjit and Zhao, Xiande}},
  issn         = {{0144-3577}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{12}},
  pages        = {{1696--1718}},
  publisher    = {{Emerald Group Publishing Limited}},
  series       = {{International Journal of Operations & Production Management}},
  title        = {{Supply chain evolution: Theory, concepts and science}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/IJOPM-02-2016-0080}},
  doi          = {{10.1108/IJOPM-02-2016-0080}},
  volume       = {{36}},
  year         = {{2016}},
}