Supply Chain Integration

In this paper, we review decision support models for the design of global supply chains, and assess the fit between the research literature in this area and the practical issues of global supply chain design. The classification scheme for this review is based on ongoing and emerging issues in global supply chain management and includes review dimensions for (1) decisions addressed in the model, (2) performance metrics, (3) the degree to which the model supports integrated decision processes, and (4) globalization considerations. We conclude that although most models resolve a difficult feature associated with globalization, few models address the practical global supply chain design problem in its entirety. We close the paper with recommendations for future research in global supply chain modeling that is both forward-looking and practically oriented.

Supply chain integration is a key strategic priority for firms striving to achieve efficiency and responsiveness in their supply chain. This paper discusses how the supply chain integration is affected by supply chain partnerships, information quality and information sharing. This ...

For last few decades, integration of supply chain management is emerging in view of various practices and theories. This paper examines the impact of supply chain integration (internal, supplier, and customer integration) on firm performance (competitive and financial). The research design of this empirical study was cross sectional which collected data from 267 managers working in manufacturing sector of Pakistan. Research hypotheses were tested by using correlation and regression analyses. Internal and supplier integration have shown positive impact on financial performance while a significant impact of customer integration was found on competitive performance. The study discussed research implications, limitations and future directions.

This study examines the performance implications of an integrated supply chain strategy, with customer service performance followed by financial performance as performance constructs. Two major components of an integrated supply chain strategy are identified and defined: (1) integrative information technologies, which is modeled antecedent to (2) supply chain integration. The research model was tested using data from a sample (n = 57) of the top 150 independent first tier automotive suppliers to the Big 3 in North America. The results showed positive direct relationships between (1) integrated information technologies and supply chain integration, (2) supply chain integration and customer service, and (3) customer service and firm performance. The relationship of supply chain integration to financial performance was indirect, through customer service; i.e., customer service was found to fully (as opposed to partially) mediate the relationship between supply chain integration and firm performance for first tier suppliers in the automotive industry.

Moving towards the vision of BRICS summit, it becomes mandatory to have prompt connectivity among this coined term, with initial effort to focus the contribution of researchers, towards immense area, logistics management and ship routing optimization among BRICS countries. This paper is an exploration of the issues and mitigations given by contributors in different relating areas, which are lacking in focus on trading enhancement through ship routing optimization between ports of BRICS countries, my efforts will be to overcome this limp by presenting a approach for effective ship routing with managed loading and unloading inventory at ports, according to planned sequence as well as distributing the goods to the desired destination with least operation cost between initial pick point to final drop point. Supply chain management encompasses the routing and scheduling of inventory maneuver to desired allocation in an economic mode for satisfying all end-users by prompt connectivity and communication between the links of supply chain.

Supply chain management (SCM) is becoming critical as firms recognize that competition is shifting from company versus company to supply chain versus supply chain. In the present competitive scenario, the fierce competition has driven most companies to seek for means of enhancing performance beyond their four wall boundaries. The firm’s ability in collaborating with its upstream and downstream partners determines its success in attaining better performance with supply chain collaboration; a firm is able to serve fragmented markets in
which end customers require more product varieties and availability with shorter product life cycle and, at the same time, lower supply chain costs. This paper introduces the framework of continuous supply chain collaboration (CSCC), which extends the traditional frame of reference
in strategic sourcing from a supplier centric to a supply-chain-scope as continuous improvement efforts to enhance the customer satisfaction. CSCC practices are rather
exceptional, yet CSCC is believed to be the single most comprehensive framework for attaining
operational excellence.

The decisions related to managing the supply chain and supply chain strategy are already considered important in many organizations. As more executives adopt environmental practices, supply chain strategies will only increase in importance. In this paper, we review how companies develop environmental supply chain strategies. Our interviews with companies from The United States, The United Kingdom, Japan and Korea, along with prior research, are used to develop a framework for environmental supply chain strategy decision-making. We then use this framework to suggest guidelines for how companies might change their current supply chain practices to successfully integrate environmental issues into their supply chain strategy.

In this paper, we expand upon recent research by Frohlich and Westbrook [J. Operations Manage. 19 (2) (2001) 185] that characterizes the influence of supply chain integration on performance. Introducing supply chain integration intensity as a proxy variable for Frohlich and Westbrook's [J. Operations Manage. 19 (2) (2001) 185] 'outward-facing supply chain strategy', we investigate the ways that manufacturing-based competitive capabilities mediate the relationship between supply chain integration and business performance. While previous research suggests that supply chain integration is directly related to superior business performance, the mediating role of manufacturing capabilities has not been explored. Using hierarchical regression analysis, we develop and test a theory-based model using a sample of consumer products manufacturers. Contrary to Frohlich and Westbrook's [J. Operations Manage. 19 (2) (2001) 185] assertions regarding the applicability of the 'outward-facing strategy' to the consumer goods sector, our results provide empirical evidence that supply chain integration intensity leads directly to improved business performance, thus corroborating the conventional wisdom concerning the increasing importance of supply chain integration in the consumer products sector. In addition, this study uncovers empirical evidence for the mediating role of manufacturing-based competitive capabilities in supply chain management. These results support the growing call for a broader, more generalized view of manufacturing strategy.

Supply chain management encompasses the routing and scheduling of inventory maneuver to desired allocation in an economic mode for satisfying the all end-users by prompt connectivity and communication between the links of supply chain. In this article efforts have been made to explore the series of challenges in BRICS countries in supply chain connectivity to achieve the revolution of coined word, which is "Broad vision and shared prosperity, also security and prosperity" this paper exposes the impacting key constraints on economic and smooth supply chain execution country wise, specifically Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, also discusses the approaches to overcome the loose poles in supply chain system by enhancing internationalization and globalization ,which relates to quantitative and qualitative strengthening in the field of finance and technology.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to categorize transportation choice research (mode choice and carrier selection) leading to insight on themes in the literature and directions for future research Design/methodology/approach – The proposed transportation choice research ...

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to review a sample of the literature relating to the integration and implementation of supply chain management practices from a strategic viewpoint. Design/methodology/approach -The literature is examined from three perspectives. First, supply chain integration covers issues relating to integration of core processes across organizational boundaries through improved communication, partnerships, alliances and cooperation. Second, strategy and planning examines supply chain management as a strategic matter for trading partners, along with factors relating to the amount of planning required. Third, implementation issues concern factors critical for successful implementation, as well as issues specific to inter and intraorganizational aspects of supply chain initiatives are contained in this sub-group Findings -An important emergent theme from the literature is the importance of taking a holistic view, and the systemic nature of interactions between the participants. At the same time, it is also apparent that this requirement to take such an holistic and systemic view of the supply chain acts as an impediment to more extensive implementation. The strategic nature of adopting a supply chain wide perspective, on the one hand provides significant potential benefit, and on the other requires trading partners to think and act strategically. This is easier said than done within a stand-alone organization, let alone across a diverse and dispersed group of trading partners.

Purpose -This paper seeks to concentrate on the question whether any parallels can be found between the industrial sector and health care services with respect to the developments that have taken place in the area of Supply Chain Management. Starting from an analysis of existing literature, it is intended that different modes of Supply Chain integration will be discussed. Also, in doing so, it is intended that the lessons learned from the studies presented in this special issue will be summarized and placed into the perspective of future research that can be considered as necessary. Design/methodology/approach -This paper adopted an exploratory, qualitative approach based on an analysis of existing literature in the area of Supply Chain Management in Health Services. Additionally, material from the case studies presented in this special issue is used to assess the current body of knowledge regarding Supply Chain Management in Health Services. Findings -Starting from a classification of existing research, five main research areas with respect to Supply Chain Management in a health care setting are defined. Additionally, it is concluded that next to studies with a mono-disciplinary focus, an interdisciplinary focus on Supply Chain Management issues in health services seems to be necessary. Originality/value -This paper contributes to both the supply chain management literature and literature in the area of healthcare management by identifying some important research areas which are linked to both fields. This paper helps both academics and managers to gain a better understanding of the complexity of supply chain management in health services.

In this paper, we review decision support models for the design of global supply chains, and assess the fit between the research literature in this area and the practical issues of global supply chain design. The classification scheme for this review is based on ongoing and emerging issues in global supply chain management and includes review dimensions for (1) decisions addressed in the model, (2) performance metrics, (3) the degree to which the model supports integrated decision processes, and (4) globalization considerations. We conclude that although most models resolve a difficult feature associated with globalization, few models address the practical global supply chain design problem in its entirety. We close the paper with recommendations for future research in global supply chain modeling that is both forward-looking and practically oriented.

In this paper we focus on the integration of strategic objectives and process knowledge that a manufacturing factory collects from its external interfaces. Using data from a variety of manufacturing industries, this study examines four different types of strategic integration at the manufacturing plant level. We use a path analytic approach to simultaneously assess the contributions of the various types of integration to manufacturing-based competitive capabilities and business level performance. In addition, we examine the intervening roles that manufacturing-based competitive capabilities play in mediating the relationships between strategic integration and business performance. We find that each type of integration activity has unique benefits and detriments. These findings extend prior studies of manufacturing and supply chain integration by broadening the theory relating to strategic integration. The results also provide implications for manufacturing managers who seek to design integration policies and associated resource deployments. #

As supply chain activities become more dispersed among customers, suppliers and service providers, there is an increased need for customers and suppliers to work together more closely. Supply chain integration (SCI) has been a highly researched topic during the last 20 years. A metaanalytic approach is used to provide a quantitative review of the empirical literature in SCI, and examines relevant design and contextual factors. Eighty independent samples across 86 peer-reviewed journal articles, yielding a total of 17,467 observations, were obtained and analyzed. While general support exists in favor of the positive impact of SCI on firm performance in the literature, this research helps clarify mixed findings that presently exist. Our results indicate that there is a positive and significant correlation between SCI and firm performance. Additional subgroups and moderators are tested and provide nuanced views of the scope and specific dimensions of SCI, firm performance and their relationships.

Purpose -The changing role of seaports in supply chains has been the subject of extensive research in the recent literature. The strategic development of seaport terminals, responding to the need for closer integration into supply chains, invites a more detailed examination of the influence of the supply chain structures on seaport performance. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the effects of supply chain structures, especially the degree of integration of seaports into supply chains, on seaport performance. Design/methodology/approach -The parameters for a structural equation model were identified in the first instance from the supply chain and seaport operations and management literature. The structural equation model itself was then devised, and subsequently refined, using data from Korean seaport terminal operators, shipping companies and freight forwarding companies. The structural equation model was used to assess the level of supply chain integration of seaports and the relationship to port performance. Findings -The results indicate that the integration of seaports into supply chains has a positive impact on both the effectiveness and the efficiency of seaport performance. In addition, antecedents to seaport supply chain integration are identified; these suggest that a strong orientation to supply chain integration within a port operating company enables the company to adopt and implement a strategy that integrates functions within the port and with other upstream and downstream organisations. Research limitations/implications -As the field data were geographically limited to one country, extending the findings of this study to other geographical areas may not be possible, although the approach taken, using the structural equation modelling technique, should be transferrable elsewhere. Cross-validation of the model would widen its applicability to other areas. The paper provides a framework that allows other researchers to examine the level of integration of ports into supply chains. Practical implications -The potential benefits of closer integration of seaports into supply chains are shown with supply chain integration having a positive effect on port performance. Seaports which do not integrate with their supply chains have a lower level of performance. Thus, enhanced port performance accruing from closer integration would have positive implications both for port and terminal managers and for other supply chain participants.

This study extends the developing body of literature on supply chain integration (SCI), which is the degree to which a manufacturer strategically collaborates with its supply chain partners and collaboratively manages intra- and inter-organizational processes, in order to achieve effective and efficient flows of products and services, information, money and decisions, to provide maximum value to the customer. The previous

As supply chain activities become more dispersed among customers, suppliers and service providers, there is an increased need for customers and suppliers to work together more closely. Supply chain integration (SCI) has been a highly researched topic during the last 20 years. A metaanalytic approach is used to provide a quantitative review of the empirical literature in SCI, and examines relevant design and contextual factors. Eighty independent samples across 86 peer-reviewed journal articles, yielding a total of 17,467 observations, were obtained and analyzed. While general support exists in favor of the positive impact of SCI on firm performance in the literature, this research helps clarify mixed findings that presently exist. Our results indicate that there is a positive and significant correlation between SCI and firm performance. Additional subgroups and moderators are tested and provide nuanced views of the scope and specific dimensions of SCI, firm performance and their relationships.

Supply chain integration (SCI) among internal functions within a company, and external trading partners within a supply chain, has received increasing attention from academicians and practitioners in recent years. SCI consists of internal integration of different functions within a company and external integration with trading partners. While both supply chain internal and external integration have been studied extensively, our understanding of what influences SCI and the relationship between internal and external integration is still very limited. This paper argues that external integration with customers and suppliers is simultaneously influenced by internal integration and relationship commitment to customers and suppliers. Internal integration enables external integration because organizations must first develop internal integration capabilities through system-, data-, and process-integration, before they can engage in meaningful external integration. At the same time, before external integration can be successfully implemented, organizations must have a willingness to integrate with external supply chain partners, which is demonstrated by their relationship commitment.

Construction is a typical project industry, thus in most cases products are delivered and production is organised in separate projects. The traditional one-off approach of projects has often been discussed and criticised to be ineffective and inefficient, and inadequate to deliver "best value" to construction clients.

Supply chain management (SCM) is the 21st century global operations strategy for achieving organizational competitiveness. Companies are attempting to find ways to improve their flexibility and responsiveness and in turn competitiveness by changing their operations strategy, methods and technologies that include the implementation of SCM paradigm and information technology (IT). However, a thorough and critical review of literature is yet to be carried out with the objective of bringing out pertinent factors and useful insights into the role and implications of IT in SCM. In this paper, the literature available on IT in SCM have been classified using suitable criteria and then critically reviewed to develop a framework for studying the applications of IT in SCM. Based on this review and analysis, recommendations have been made regarding the application of IT in SCM and some future research directions are indicated.

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on supply chain management (SCM) practices in small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) and outlines the key insights. Design/methodology/approach -The paper describes a literature-based research that has sought understand the issues of SCM for SMEs. The methodology is based on critical review of 77 research papers from high-quality, international refereed journals. Mainly, issues are explored under three categories -supply chain integration, strategy and planning and implementation. This has supported the development of key constructs and propositions. Findings -The research outcomes are three fold. Firstly, paper summarizes the reported literature and classifies it based on their nature of work and contributions. Second, paper demonstrates the overall approach towards the development of constructs, research questions, and investigative questions leading to key proposition for the further research. Lastly, paper outlines the key findings and insights gained. Practical implications -Survival of SMEs will be determined first and foremost by their ability to provide/produce more, at less cost, in less time, with few ''defects''. The key to this is effective SCM. The issue is much explored in the context of large enterprises but less attention is paid to SMEs. Paper aims to surface out some facts for the same. Originality/value The paper reports-classifies the literature and development of construct and propositions. APJML 20,1 98 and the supply chain as a whole (Mentzer et al.

Purpose -Though there is a wide acceptance of the strategic importance of integrating operations with suppliers and customers in the supply chain, many questions remain unanswered about how best to characterize supply chain strategies. Is it more important to link with suppliers, customers, or both? Similarly, little is known about the connections between supplier and customer integration and improved operations performance. This article seeks to investigate supplier and customer integration strategies by comparing US and East Asian companies. It is of paramount interest to find out how these strategies actually differ and affect performance of the companies. Design/methodology/approach -This was carried out in three phases. In the first phase, a number of operations-management related journals were skimmed to select about 30 research articles related to supply chain concepts and practices. In the second phase, investigation efforts narrowed down to supply chain management research conducted in East Asia and the USA. In the third phase, comparisons were made between East Asian and US companies' indicators of supply chain integration and performance. Findings -The need to react to market changes and the critical role of the supply chain in meeting this need, and the potential benefits of integrating the supply chain, can no longer be ignored. This potential, however, will be realized only if the interrelationships among different parts of the supply chain are recognized, and proper alignment is ensured between the design and execution of the company's competitive strategy. Practical implications -The implications for article findings on future research and practice in the new millennium are considered. Originality/value -The aim is to recommend these findings to companies which are still at the infancy stage when it comes to supply chain management and integration with customers and suppliers.

The high bandwidth and low latency features of 5G network are perceived to offer a unified platform for multiple device connectivity in real time. Despite the promising benefits of disruptive 5G wireless technology, literature on 5G-enabled supply chain management is scarce. The paper, therefore, explores the role of 5G and its impact on supply chain management through a systematic literature review. Various aspects of 5G technologies in an environment of Industry 4.0, Supply Chain 4.0 and supply chain processes are discussed. Bibliometric results reveal that 5G-enabled supply chain management is a very recent topic and published in a very limited way. We find that most studies have focussed on technical features of emerging 5G and its impact being conceptualised on Industry 4.0 and Supply Chain 4.0. Areas of future supply chain management research that can support 5G are discussed. ARTICLE HISTORY

Purpose-The conceptualization of integration is built on intra-and inter-organizational relationship to manage the entire supply chain. Despite the growing number of research studies, there is a lack of consensus in current literature to define and conceptualize supply chain integration (SCI) and its drivers. The purpose of this paper is to provide comprehensive views on SCI, thereby contributing to existing literature by providing taxonomy to drivers and sources, dimensions and outcome of SCI. Design/methodology/approach-The systematic approach to literature review has been adopted to carry out this research. The study cites 154 articles, out of which 110 articles have been thoroughly reviewed, covering drivers and sources of SCI, SCI dimensions and SCI outcome. Findings-For the conceptualization of SCI dimensions, two major themes have been identified: first, internal integration, customer integration and supplier integration; second, information sharing, process coordination and strategic alliance. The authors also found that desire to improve and environmental factors prompt organizations to integrate with their partners to realize the desired outcome. Additionally, the paper identifies that integration plays a significant role in enhancing performance; nevertheless, maturity of integration may have a direct relationship with performance, and the same has been suggested as propositions for further study. Research limitations/implications-This paper has taken the systematic perspective to review existing studies and projected propositions, which is entirely based on collective views that may require empirical support. Originality/value-The paper is a unique contribution that reviews the research articles on SCI systematically. The paper also provides a distinct perspective and food for thought to practitioners, as the proposed framework may serve as a reference point to assess current SCI practices in the organizations.

Despite managerial awareness of SCI's potential benefits, levels of integration have remained relatively unchanged over time. However, a small number of firms reported a major focus on end-to-end integration. We find that integration is positively related to operational performance and firm performance. Integration's primary influence is through productivity and customer service. The interviews indicate a general shift toward major commitment to SCI, and that commitment to SCI influences both the degree of integration engagement and integration's influence on performance.

Definitions and measures of supply chain integration (SCI) are diverse. More empirical research, with clear definition and appropriate measures are needed. The purpose of this article is to identify dimensions and variables for SCI and develop an integrated framework to facilitate this. A literature review of the relevant academic papers in international journals in Logistics, Supply Chain Management and Operations Management for the period 1995-2009 has been undertaken. This study reveals that information integration, coordination and resource sharing and organisational relationship linkage are three major dimensions for SCI. The proposed framework helps integrate both upstream suppliers and downstream customers with the focal organisation. It also allows measuring SCI using both qualitative and quantitative approach. This study encourages researchers and practitioners to identify dimensions and variables for SCI and analyses how it affects the overall supply chain (SC) performance in terms of efficiency and responsiveness. Although there is extensive research in the area of SCI, a comprehensive and integrated approach is missing. This study bridges the gap by developing a framework for measuring SCI, which enables any organisation to identify critical success factors for integrating their SC, measures the degree of integration qualitatively and quantitatively and suggest improvement measures.

A number of business requirements (e.g. compliance with regulatory and legal provisions, diffusion of global standards, supply chain integration) are forcing consumer goods manufacturers to increase their efforts to provide product data (e.g. product identifiers, dimensions) at business-to-business interfaces timely and accurately. The quality of such data is a critical success factor for efficient and effective cross-company collaboration. If compliance relevant data (e.g. dangerous goods indicators) is missing or false, consumer goods manufacturers risk being fined and see their company's image damaged. Or if logistics data (e.g. product dimensions, gross weight) is inaccurate or provided not in time, business with key account trading partners is endangered. To be able to manage the risk of business critical data defects, companies must be able to a) identify such data defects, and b) specify and use metrics that allow to monitor the data's quality. As scientific research on both these issues has come up with only few results so far, this case study explores the process of identifying business critical product data defects at German consumer goods manufacturing company Beiersdorf AG. Despite advanced data quality management structures such defects still occur and can result in complaints, service level impairment and avoidable costs. The case study analyzes product data use and maintenance in Beiersdorf's ecosystem, identifies typical product data defects, and proposes a set of data quality metrics for monitoring those defects.

Information technology can help to overcome the problems that plague many supply chains. Electronic exchange of information leads to reduction of errors and increased efficiency of the work processes. When one company can use the information of other companies in the supply chain, the negative effects of uncertainty can be mitigated in theory. In practice, however, the exchange of information between companies is not as easy as it seems. Many different systems and standards are used, the number of peer-to-peer relations with other companies in the network is usually too large to manage, most systems are not open for easy exchange of information with other systems, and most companies are very reluctant to share information with other companies in the first place.

As a marketing, logistics and manufacturing concept, postponement has been around in the literature for a long time. Its application can also be dated to the 1920s. However, only in recent times has it been used as a supply chain strategy. Postponement fosters a new way of thinking about product design, process design and supply chain management. In this paper, we rethink the supply chain from a postponement point of view and present the implications of postponement for the decoupling point, supply chain integration, control of the supply chain and capacity planning issues. The objective is to extend the significance of postponement towards the perspective of a holistic supply chain context.

Supply chain management in Albania has received little attention in the recent literature. Many companies now realize that actions taken by one member of the chain can influence the profitability of all others in the chain. Companies are increasingly thinking in terms of competing as part of a supply chain against other supply chains, rather than as a single firm

Recent innovative procurement initiatives are challenging traditional ways of procuring construction projects. These initiatives are intended to empower clients to exercise more control over the supply chain and generate more cooperation among project participants. The initiatives aim to integrate the supply chain, create greater trust, introduce a pain and gain culture, and reuse the knowledge on succeeding projects. This paper, with examples from the UK construction industry, presents how clients are integrating the downstream supply chain members. Critical factors in integrating suppliers and manufacturers were identified and the benefits of innovative procurement resulting in the integration of downstream supply chain members were analysed in detail through two case studies. The paper concludes that through clients' initiatives, there is a great potential to utilise the expertise and knowledge of suppliers and manufacturers at the outset of a project to achieve effective planning and delivery of the whole project, with greater supply chain integration.

The concept of integration has received considerable attention in operations and supply chain management literature in a time spanning over two decades. To advance theory development, it is important to critically examine the empirical findings in various integration studies. This paper undertakes an extensive investigation of the relationships between supply chain integration and various performance dimensions using a meta-analytical methodology. The study contributes to literature in four important ways. First, the findings empirically show that internal integration, supplier integration, and customer integration have significant impact on a firm's financial performance. Second, the study examines the impact of internal integration, supplier integration, and customer integration on a firm's operational performance; and its underlying dimensions of cost, quality, delivery, and flexibility separately. Third, the study points out the specific relationships between supply chain integration and performance that need to be further examined within contingency framework to discern the role of moderating factors. Finally, to provide direction for managerial decision-making, the study offers insights regarding integration dimension(s) that have largest breadth and depth of impact on various performance measures.

Originality/value -Despite the fact that much has been written about the dissemination of ICT, there is still a shortage of research in the field of small 3PLs with little empirical investigation into the usage of ICT by small 3PLs. This paper provides a contribution to the filling this void and suggests some possible research directions.

Over the last few years, supply chain management has gained importance, especially in the area of supply chain integration (SCI) and the organization's performance. Researchers have conducted research in this area and proved a strong relationship between SCI and performance. The above study gained importance in recent times because of the sustained competitive business environment for local as well as global players. This paper aims at systematically analyzing and combining the various papers published through a literature review on Supply chain integration (SCI) and performance. There are three questions which the authors have tried to answer in this paper: What are the various dimensions of SCI used by different authors for the study? What is the effect of SCI on organization performance considering various above dimensions and moderating variables used? What have authors proved of SCI on performance? The study can be extended with an increase in the number of literature papers on SCI and performance and moderating variables that have not been considered in this review. The results indicate the relationship between SCI on performance with the effect of moderating variables.

In this article, we study the concept of supply chain integration scope by comparing firms that involve immediate supply chain partners in their strategic efforts (narrow supply chain scope) versus firms that involve supply chain partners beyond the immediate level, for example second tier suppliers and end customers (broad supply chain scope). By relying on Coordination Theory and expanding upon Frohlich and Westbrook's (2001) 'arcs of integration' principle, we propose that supply chain integration scope and the type of supply chain management efforts deployed by firms are correlated. We use data from a large sample of US and European firms to explore the association between supply chain integration scope and supply chain management efforts. The results show that supply chain integration scope can be predicted by a firm's supply chain management efforts. The implications of our results for practising managers are also offered. Our results suggest that supply chain managers should consider the practices identified in this study while deciding on the appropriate level of supply chain integration scope, i.e., which extended supply chain members to include in their strategic planning efforts.

Abstract: Increasing competition due to market globalisation, product diversity and technological breakthroughs stimulates independent firms to collaborate in a supply chain that allows them to gain mutual benefits. This requires the collective know-how of the coordination mode, including the ability to synchronise interdependent processes, to integrate information systems and to cope with distributed learning. However, research into coordination has paid little attention to acknowledging different modes of coordination. This study promotes the notion of mutuality and the focus of coordination in order to establish a comprehensive taxonomy of coordination modes. Four different modes of coordination have been identified: logistics synchronisation, information sharing, incentive alignment, and collective learning. The knowledge of coordination is then proposed as an explicit understanding about key drivers of coordination modes that have positive impacts on supply chain performance. This paper also presents a research agenda.

Keywords: Coordination, Information exchange, Logistics, Supply chain management