Ever consider a supply chain as a “community of practice”? Embracing a learning perspective to build supply chain integration

Abstract

PurposeThis article introduces a conceptual view of supply chains from a situated learning and “community of practice” perspective. This non‐conventional “soft systems” view places an emphasis on the social and practical dimensions of learning within a context as a means to improve supply chain integration and performance.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is conceptual and introduces a learning theory that offers practical relevance to practitioners in the supply chain field.FindingsThe findings presented in this paper are conceptual. However, the perspective offered draws upon recent successful research into the dynamics of situated learning activity in a project team environment.Practical implicationsBy embracing this humanistic and social learning perspective, practitioners have opportunities to initiate a “community of practice” condition in which they systematically focus on and collaboratively develop their learning skills and their supply chain interactions and integration.Originality/valueThe value of this paper is to invite the reader to consider supply chain scenarios as “situated learning opportunities involving communities of practice” which, if appropriately engaged, can contribute towards learning and innovation and the development of inter‐organizational integration along a supply chain.