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The implementation of supply chain management theory in practice: An empirical investigation

Sweeney, Edward; Grant, David B.; Mangan, D. John

Authors

Edward Sweeney

David B. Grant

D. John Mangan



Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of the research described in this paper is to disentangle the rhetoric from the reality in relation to supply chain management (SCM) adoption in practice. There is significant evidence of a divergence between theory and practice in the field of SCM. Design/methodology/approach – Based on a review of extant theory, the authors posit a new definitional construct for SCM – the Four Fundamentals – and investigated four research questions (RQs) that emerged from the theoretical review. The empirical work comprised three main phases: focussed interviews, focus groups and a questionnaire survey. Each phase used the authors’ definitional construct as its basis. While the context of the paper’s empirical work is Ireland, the insights and results are generalisable to other geographical contexts. Findings – The data collected during the various stages of the empirical research supported the essence of the definitional construct and allowed it to be further developed and refined. In addition, the findings suggest that, while levels of SCM understanding are generally quite high, there is room for improvement in relation to how this understanding is translated into practice. Research limitations/implications – Expansion of the research design to incorporate case studies, grounded theory and action research has the potential to generate new SCM theory that builds on the Four Fundamentals construct, thus facilitating a deeper and richer understanding of SCM phenomena. The use of longitudinal studies would enable a barometer of progress to be developed over time. Practical implications – The authors’ definitional construct supports improvement in the cohesion of SCM practices, thereby promoting the effective implementation of supply chain strategies. A number of critical success factors and/or barriers to implementation of SCM theory in practice are identified, as are a number of practical measures that could be implemented at policy/supply chain/firm level to improve the level of effective SCM adoption. Originality/value – The authors’ robust definitional construct supports a more cohesive approach to the development of a unified theory of SCM. In addition to a profile of SCM understanding and adoption by firms in Ireland, the related critical success factors and/or inhibitors to success, as well as possible interventions, are identified.

Citation

Sweeney, E., Grant, D. B., & Mangan, D. J. (2015). The implementation of supply chain management theory in practice: An empirical investigation. Supply chain management, 20(1), 56-70. https://doi.org/10.1108/SCM-07-2014-0249

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Oct 10, 2014
Publication Date Jan 12, 2015
Deposit Date Jan 6, 2016
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Supply chain management : an international journal
Print ISSN 1359-8546
Publisher Emerald
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 20
Issue 1
Pages 56-70
DOI https://doi.org/10.1108/SCM-07-2014-0249
Keywords Supply chain management
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/383940
Publisher URL http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/full/10.1108/SCM-07-2014-0249
Additional Information Authors' accepted manuscript of an article published in Supply chain management : an international journal, 2015, v.20 issue 1.

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