Twenty years after Mentzer : a polemic on logistics research rigour and relevance today

Grant, David; Kovács, Gyöngyi; Spens, Karen

Abstract

This paper was delivered at 28th NOFOMA Conference, 8-10 June, 2016, Turku School of Economics (TSE), the University of Turku, Turku, Finland. Abstract Purpose This paper is a polemic that explores the overarching issue of rigour and relevance in logistics and SCM (LSCM) research today. The starting point for this paper is Tom Mentzer’s publications beginning twenty years ago about the need for rigour and relevance in LSCM research. The purpose of this paper is to stimulate thinking and debate among colleagues in the LSCM academic community about these issues and remind them of the need to keep them at the forefront of their own research. Design/methodology/approach The authors used an autoethnographic approach to examine this issue, based on their collective sixty years’ experience in academia. After a review of appropriate literature on the topic, data was collected from discussions among the paper’s authors as well as recounting open discussions with other academics and editors of LSCM journals to collate their observations. Findings The changes in the academic environment towards a ‘publish or perish’ culture have altered the landscape of LSCM research as it appears in journals. It has led to ‘salami-slicing’ of research to the extent that novelty in papers has been reduced to a minimum. Further, parts of research are reported in a way that fits journal expectations rather than noting the research approach and methods as they were actually applied in the research. Ultimately, this may undermine ground-breaking findings in LSCM and lead to a stagnation of the discipline. Research limitations/implications (if applicable) This paper is based on personal observations and experiences of the three authors as well as open-ended discussions with others in the LSCM community. Practical implications (if applicable) Practical implications are provided for LSCM academics in their roles as authors and journal editors. Social implications (if applicable) Encouraging the LSCM academic community to improve the rigour, relevance and quality of research will result in better impact and outcomes for society at large. Original/value The value of this paper is in stimulating thinking and debate amongst LSCM academics to come back to core issues in the discipline and seek both rigour and relevance.

Citation

Grant, D., Kovács, G., & Spens, K. Twenty years after Mentzer : a polemic on logistics research rigour and relevance today

• Deposit Date: Dec 1, 2016
• Journal: Proceedings of the 28th NOFOMA conference
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Pages: 86-99
• ISBN: 9789512965175
• Keywords: Logistics, Supply chain management, Research, Rigour, Relevance, Academia
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/445861
• Publisher URL: Published proceedings available at https://www.etis.ee/File/DownloadPublic/f6a2f495-0a34-40fa-9940-5810b2b958f7?name=NOFOMA%202016%20Conference%20proceedings.pdf&type=application%2Fpdf
• Contract Date: Dec 1, 2016