Supply networks: dyads, triads and networks

Abstract

A network begins with a dyad, but the smallest unit of a network with network characteristics is a triad. This chapter offers a review of key concepts, history and development of supply network research. Building on the literature on buyer-supplier relationships based on a dyad, we review the essential concepts of triads, structural holes, and balance theory. Then, we review recent papers on network structures. We point out the research gaps and suggest directions for future research. Among our topics are buyer-supplier dyads, triads as the smallest units of a supply network (that is, a link affects another link), special type of a triad with structural holes, and role of bridges as tertius gaudens or tertius iungens. Beyond triads, we consider supply network structures, performance implications, and supply network dynamics including complex adaptive systems, extended supply chains, fields, and structuration.