Supply chain evolution: theory, concepts and science

MacCarthy, Bart L.; Blome, Constantin; Olhager, Jan; Srai, Jagjit Singh; Zhao, Xiande

Abstract

The supply chain landscape is changing. New supply chains emerge and evolve for a variety of reasons. In this paper we examine the nature of new and changing supply chains and their influences, and address the broad question “What makes a supply chain like it is?”. The paper highlights and develops key aspects, concepts, and principal themes concerning the emergence and evolution of supply chains over their life cycle. We identify six factors that interact and may affect a supply chain over its life cycle. A number of emergent themes and propositions on factors affecting a supply chain’s characteristics over its life cycle are presented. We argue that a new science is needed to investigate and understand the supply chain life cycle. Supply chains are essential to the world economy and to modern life. Understanding the supply chain life cycle and how supply chains may evolve provides fresh perspectives on contemporary supply chain management. The paper presents detailed reflections from leading researchers on emerging, evolving and mature supply chains.

Citation

MacCarthy, B. L., Blome, C., Olhager, J., Srai, J. S., & Zhao, X. (2016). Supply chain evolution: theory, concepts and science. International Journal of Operations and Production Management, 36(12), https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOPM-02-2016-0080

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 29, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Jun 27, 2016
• Publication Date: Dec 30, 2016
• Deposit Date: Feb 9, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 9, 2017
• Journal: International Journal of Operations & Production Management
• Electronic ISSN: 0144-3577
• Publisher: Emerald
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 36
• Issue: 12
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOPM-02-2016-0080
• Keywords: Supply Chain, Evolution, life cycle, emergence, segmentation, differentiation
• Public URL: http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/40445
• Publisher URL: http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/full/10.1108/IJOPM-02-2016-0080
• Copyright Statement: Copyright information regarding this work can be found at the following address: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0