Specific investments in the supply chain - a literature review on the state-of-the-art knowledge with an outlook on safeguarding mechanisms and avenues for future research

Abstract

Increased outsourcing activities and the shift of value creation along the supply chain led to various supply chain management approaches, with the aim to increase efficiency and decrease risks in the supply chain that are associated with product quality, production costs or product availability. A common tool to achieve those goals are specific investments executed in the supply chain context. The literature review captures the state-of-the-art knowledge on specific investments in the supply chain context and discloses definitions, opportunities, risks, characteristics, motivation and categories of tangible and intangible specific investments. Furthermore, the paper sheds light on safeguarding mechanisms and reveals the need for further research on executing specific investments beyond the dyad.