Broad span of supply chain integration: theory development

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand how theoretical lenses have been used to analyze the supply chain integration (SCI) theory. Furthermore, this paper elaborates theories derived from SCI research, in the form of propositions and a framework to explain the concept of the broader span of SCI.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on a systematic review of 194 research articles from Q1 to Q4 international journals over the period 1980–2017. Issues are explored under the integration keywords: “supply chain integration,” “internal integration,” “supplier integration,” “customer integration,” “third party logistics integration” and “logistics service provider integration.”FindingsConceptually, SCI can be interpreted as a span that illustrates the internal integration of the focal organization, and the integration of the focal organization with suppliers, logistics service providers (LSPs) and customers. However, the result from the systematic literature review shows the SCI’s span still neglects LSPs. Based on that gap, a resource-based view (RBV) integrated with the resource dependence theory (RDT) is used to propose a broader SCI span that consists of internal, supplier, LSP and customer. Using both theories, this paper conceptualizes resources, dependence and uncertainty as the antecedents of the broader span of SCI.Originality/valueThis paper provides a theoretical contribution that integrates the RBV and RDT as a basis for developing the broader span of SCI.