Dimensions Of Supply Chain Integration Research Articles

Supply chain integration and performance paradox: is relational performance the missing link?

ABSTRACT The empirical research on supply chain integration (SCI) and performance relationship spans over two decades following the first empirical research by Frohlich and Westbrook (2001) [“Arcs of Integration: An International Study of Supply Chain Strategies.” Journal of Operations Management 19 (2): 185–200]. However, the findings of the research linking SCI and its dimensions to performance remained mixed leading to debate regarding the SCI-performance paradox. To better understand the SCI – performance paradox, this study conducted a systematic review, combined with bibliometric analysis, network analysis and content analysis of literature on SCI performance published in the last twenty years (2001–2022) in the Scopus database. The review shows inconsistency in SCI and performance relationship since SCI dimensions did not consistently result in positive performance. Hence, the relationship between SCI and performance remains inconclusive. We argue that the SCI-performance paradox is grounded in the incongruity between the dimensions of SCI and its respective performance outcomes. The implications and avenues for future research are also discussed.

Supply Chain Management and Business Performance of Shipping Firms in Port Harcourt

The study examined the relationship between supply chain management and business performance of shipping firms in Port Harcourt. The study adopted quantitative research design using a correlational method of investigation. The population consists of 16 shipping firms in Port Harcourt. The study adopted census sampling and studied the entire 16 firms with focus on managers. The reliability of the instrument was determined using Cronbach's alpha test with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 and it stood at 0.88 higher than the benchmark of 0.7. The data collected for this study were analyzed through inferential statistics. The Spearman Rank Correlation Technique was employed to test the various hypotheses formulated through the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results revealed that supply chain management is significantly and positively related with business performance of shipping firms in Port Harcourt. Based on the findings, it was concluded that supply chain management with its dimension of supply chain integration and reverse logistics will improve business performance of shipping firms in Port Harcourt on the basis of the results obtained from the analysis. The study recommends that shipping firms should adopt reverse logistics as this would ensure customer after-sale satisfaction which in turn results in improvement in business performance, and also, shipping firms should integrate their supplies as this would enable them to improve business performance.

How Do Supply Chain Integration and Product Innovation Capability Drive Sustainable Operational Performance?

This study analyzes the influence of supply chain integration dimensions (internal integration and external integration) on the product innovation capability (market knowledge and product development) and operational performance of manufacturing firms, considering product innovation capability as a mediator. A purposive sampling method was used, and data were collected through a survey completed by 129 medium and large manufacturers in Pakistan and analyzed using the structural equation modeling technique. The results show internal and customer integrations are not directly related to operational performance. Furthermore, supplier integration was positively related to both product innovation capability and operational performance. Likewise, the link between product innovation capability and operational performance is positive. The study uniquely evaluates that product innovation capability positively mediates the impacts of internal and external integration on operational performance. The outcomes of this study will help managers of manufacturing firms boost their firms’ product innovation capability and operational performance by focusing on supply chain integration. Moreover, to achieve sustainability in the supply chain, practitioners are provided with directions on operationalizing supply chain integration. The study uniquely identifies the mediation effects of product innovation capability (market knowledge and product development) between internal and external integration and operational performance.

Antecedent configurations toward supply chain resilience: The joint impact of supply chain integration and big data analytics capability

AbstractMany antecedents identified as essential to supply chain resilience (SCR) are often studied independently, without considering their synergistic effects. Based on a case study and resource orchestration theory, this article focuses on configurations of different antecedents regarding supply chain integration and big data analytics capability to develop proactive and reactive SCR. Using survey data from 277 Chinese manufacturing firms, we consider three dimensions of supply chain integration, information integration, operational integration and relational integration, and three dimensions of big data analytics capability, technical skills, managerial skills and data driven‐decision culture, and conduct fuzzy‐set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to explore antecedent configurations generating high proactive and reactive SCR. We find that multiple antecedent configurations can achieve high SCR and configurations for high proactive and reactive SCR are not identical, which may involve alternative effects across different antecedents. We further implement propensity score matching analysis and reveal that firms following these configurations for high SCR also have better economic and operational performance. Moreover, we check the robustness of findings by using secondary data and attributes analysis with machine learning. This article complements and extends existing SCR literature from the configurational perspective and provides practical insights for managers to build SCR.

THE DIRECT AND INDIRECT EFFECTS OF INTERNAL ENABLERS ON INTERNAL INTEGRATION AND BUSINESS PERFORMANCE

The present paper aims to assess both the direct as well as the indirect effects of internal enablers on internal integration and business performance in the supply chain. A full managerial comprehension of the connection between supply chain integration (SCI) and business performance is missing so far and earlier results are inconclusive. To fill this gap, this study expands the growing body of research on SCI and contributes to the SCM field by explaining the direct and indirect effects of internal enablers on internal integration and business performance. Results show that hierarchical organizational culture influences internal integration and supply chain performance, that top management support and information technology department size influence internal integration, and, finally, that supply chain performance impacts operational performance. These findings confirm the relevance for firms to pay attention to those key internal enablers of internal integration, and their benefits on business performance. Considering our results, future research should deepen on the influence of internal integration on business performance by focusing on the links between internal integration and the other dimensions of SCI, that is supplier and customer integration, as well as with the external side of the supply chain performance.

The impacts of supply visibility and demand visibility on product innovation: the mediating role of supply chain integration

PurposeDrawing on absorptive capacity theory, this study explores the impacts of supply visibility and demand visibility on product innovation (i.e. exploratory and exploitative innovation), and it examines how supplier integration, customer integration and internal integration mediate these impacts.Design/methodology/approachThe authors employ empirical survey data from 200 Chinese manufacturers and use structural equation modeling to test the proposed relationships.FindingsThe results show that supply visibility is positively related to supplier integration and internal integration and that demand visibility is positively related to customer integration. Furthermore, only customer integration and internal integration positively relate to exploratory and exploitative innovation.Originality/valueFirst, this study emphasizes that supply visibility and demand visibility are important sources of a firm's innovation performance and that supply chain integration increases focal firms' capability of exploiting information and facilitates product innovation. Second, the study shows that supply visibility and demand visibility have distinct effects on three dimensions of supply chain integration and exploratory and exploitative innovation. The study also provides significant managerial guidelines for effectively leveraging supply chain visibility and integration in the promotion of product innovation.

Assessment of the impact of management commitment and supply chain integration on SMEs’ innovation performance: Moderation role of government support

This study aims to investigate the effect of management commitment (MC), supply chain integration (SCI), and government support (PGS) on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) innovation performance. The study was quantitative, and the cross-sectional method was used to gather 685 valid data through a structured questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis in Analysis of Moment Structures version 26 software was engaged in checking the constructs' validity. Hierarchical regression analysis was employed to examine the hypothesized relationships using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 26 software. The regression analysis findings revealed that management commitment influenced the three dimensions of SCI (internal, customer, and supplier integration) and SMEs' innovation performance. The results from the mediation analysis indicated a partial mediation effect of internal, customer, and supplier integration in the relationship between management commitment and SMEs' innovation performance. Also, PGS significantly moderated the relationship between SCI and SMEs' innovation performance. The present study is critical as it explains the medium through which MC, SCI, PGS, and SMEs’ innovation performance relate in one conceptual model.

Examining the Relationship Between Supply Chain Integration, Innovation Speed and Supply Chain Performance Under Demand Uncertainty

Under demand uncertainty, supply chain network has to face disruptions in product systems of endogenous factors due to the time needed to adapt to stock production and feedback decisions along the chain of customer demand. This study aims to examine the effects of internal integration and external integration (including supplier integration and customer integration) on innovation speed with the moderation of demand uncertainty. Moreover, this study explores the relationship between supply chain integration, innovation speed and supply chain performance. Our results indicate that internal integration and external integration are positively associated with innovation speed. On the other hand, demand uncertainty moderates the positive relationship between internal integration and innovation speed as well as the relationship between supplier integration and innovation speed. This study provides a more nuanced understanding about the effect of three dimensions of supply chain integration on innovation speed and supply chain performance. More importantly, this study explains the mechanism of using supply chain integration to mitigate the effect of demand uncertainty and complements previous research on innovation.

Impact of Supply Chain Integration on Supply Chain Performance: Moderating Role of Supply Chain Flexibility.

Modern world is more uncertain than ever before. Organizations need to identify the capabilities needed to gain competitive advantage under these uncertain conditions. Supply chain integration is such a capability that may help a firm achieve competitive advantage under uncertain market conditions. The current study evaluated the multidimensional role of supply chain integration in supply chain performance. The moderating role of supply chain flexibility between different dimensions of supply chain integration and supply chain performance was also considered. Based on the data gathered from Pakistani manufacturing firms, structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the hypothesized model. The results showed that internal integration and supplier integration represented a positive impact on supply chain performance. However, the moderating role of supply chain flexibility was determined to be significant only in the case of customer integration – supply chain performance relationship.   

Supply chain integration and firm performance in the COVID-19 era: the mediating role of resilience and robustness

PurposeIn recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic has become one of the most impactful disruptions which has imposed high levels of uncertainty on supply chains around the world. Supply chain integration (SCI) is highly recommended as an underlying mechanism that can facilitate the development of resilience and robustness as two dynamic capabilities. They can in turn positively influence firm performance and success during the disruptive conditions of COVID-19 era. The study aims to examine whether SCI as an enabler of resilience and robustness can improve firm performance during COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachA theoretical model is developed to elaborate the relationship between SCI dimensions, resilience and robustness and firm’s operational and financial performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey method is then used to empirically examine the model using a sample of 94 companies in the food industry in the province of Tehran, Iran, during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study makes several contributions. It provides a novel theoretical model on the relationship between SCI, resilience and robustness and firm performance and tests this model in a less-studied yet critical context (i.e. Iranian food industry) and during a disruptive era (i.e. COVID-19 pandemic).FindingsThe results support the positive effect of three SCI dimensions of internal, product and process integration on operational and financial performance during corona virus pandemic. Furthermore, internal and process integration have positive effects on resilience. Internal, product and process integration have positive effects on robustness. In addition, resilience mediates the effects of internal and product integration on both operational and financial performance, whereas robustness mediates the effect of internal and product integration on financial performance.Research limitations/implicationsThis study was conducted in the Province of Tehran. To test and generalize the results, it is recommended to conduct this study in other places and countries.Originality/valueThese results highlight the importance of SCI dimensions as vital enablers of resilience and robustness and their consequent impact on firm’s performance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Supply chain integration and novelty-centered business model design: An organizational learning perspective

Although novelty-centered business model design (NBMD) has attracted much attention, how it is affected by supply chain integration (SCI) is still inconclusive. Based on organizational learning theory, this study investigates how three dimensions of SCI (i.e., information integration, operational integration, and relational integration) affect NBMD via inter-organizational learning and the moderating role of big data analytics skills. We test hypotheses by utilizing survey data from 277 Chinese manufacturing firms. Our results indicate that both information integration and operational integration have positive impacts on NBMD. In addition, inter-organizational learning partially mediates the impacts of information integration and operational integration on NBMD. Our research also reveals that big data analytics skills strengthen the positive impact of relational integration on inter-organizational learning. This study provides theoretical and managerial insights for NBMD.

Business model design and mass customization capability: is supply chain integration a missing link?

PurposeThis study aims to examine the impacts of the novelty-centered business model design (NBMD) and efficiency-centered business model design (EBMD) on mass customization capability (MCC), as well as the mediating role of supply chain integration.Design/methodology/approachUsing survey data from 277 Chinese manufacturing firms, we test the hypothesized relationships by conducting structural equation modeling.FindingsThe results indicate that both NBMD and EBMD have significantly positive impacts on product-oriented MCC and service-oriented MCC. In addition, three dimensions of supply chain integration play different mediating roles in the relationship between BMD and MCC. Specifically, relational integration partially mediates the impacts of NBMD and EBMD on service-oriented MCC, information integration partially mediates the impact of NBMD on product-oriented MCC and service-oriented MCC and operational integration partially mediates the impact of NBMD and EBMD on product-oriented MCC.Originality/valueThis study opens the “black box” in the relationship between business model design and MCC, which offers insights on the complex process of supply chain integration and considers business ecosystem for operational performance.

Examining the relationship between dimensions of supply chain integration, operational performance and firm performance: evidence from Ghana

Purpose The study aims to examine the relationship between dimensions of supply chain integration (SCI), operational performance and firm performance of firms. The study proposes that internal integration serves as the basis for supplier integration and customer integration and all three dimensions directly enhance operational performance and firm performance. Additionally, operational performance is proposed to mediate the effect of dimensions of SCI on firm performance. Design/methodology/approach A research model grounded on the resource-based view and the extended resource-based view was developed to examine the proposed relationships between the dimensions of SCI, operational performance and firm performance. A survey of manufacturing and service firms in Ghana was conducted, with 120 usable responses received. The research model was analysed by using partial least squares structural equation modelling. Robustness tests were conducted by using logistic regression and the Kruskal Wallis test. Findings The findings showed that internal integration had positive and significant effects on customer integration and supplier integration. Internal integration had a positive and significant effect on firm performance whilst customer integration had positive and significant effects on operational performance and firm performance. Additionally, operational performance mediated the effect of customer integration on firm performance. Originality/value This is one of the few studies that examine the interrelationships between dimensions of SCI. Additionally, to the best of the researchers’ knowledge, this is the first study to empirically examine the mediating role of operational performance in the relationship between dimensions of SCI and firm performance.

Exploring the dimensions of value chain collaboration and its influence on circular economy, a mixed methods design perspective & future research potential at republic of malawi

The present research study focuses on value chain collaboration and its effects on the circular economy among agriculture firms in the Republic of Malawi. The study lays emphasis on individualism, supplier relationships, trust, and supply chain integration dimensions of value chain collaboration. The study articulates the synergistic effects across the value chain from a mixed-methods design perspective. The study uses explanatory mixed methods design with Partial Least Squares (PLS) and Structural equation modeling approach, quantitative data of (n=140) with Thematic analysis of structured interviews to explain significance of value chain collaboration on Circular economy. SPSS 25 was used to perform the statistical analysis of the respondents' data. The quantitative and qualitative data findings provide valuable insights into the nuances of understanding value chain collaboration effects on achieving a circular economy. The study's findings provide invaluable insights and impetus to practitioners, policymakers, and consultants in the area of agriculture.

Revisit the Relationships and Dimensions of Supply Chain Integration for Business Outcomes

In recent years, driven by low cost, many global supply chains have been used to realize global procurement and manufacturing chains. Obviously, supply chain integration is a practical means to be applied to various supply chain networks to improve supply chain performance. However, the global supply chain has been continuously interrupted by natural disasters, epidemics, and human error in the past few years. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and the blockade of the Suez Canal in 2021. These incidents have caused supply disruptions and factory shutdowns in global manufacturing and retail. With the expansion of supply chain integration, the interdependence between supply chain partners increases, and the vulnerability and risks of the supply chain also increase. Therefore, the dimensions of supply chain integration, namely internal integration and external integration, the relationship between them and their impact on business outcomes need to be further studied. The main purpose of the review is to put forward a conceptual framework of supply chain integration to study the relationship by collating the past literature.

Mediating role of immediate performance outcomes between supply chain integration and firm performance

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating role of immediate performance outcomes on the relationship between dimensions of supply chain integration (SCI) and financial performance.Design/methodology/approachThis study tests the proposed model linking dimensions of SCI, immediate performance outcomes and financial performance using structural equation modeling on a sample of Indian manufacturing companies.FindingsThe findings suggest that the relationship between dimensions of SCI and firm performance is fully mediated through the immediate performance outcomes.Originality/valueThis study deals with the potential benefits of SCI, especially in developing countries like India, where a little research has been done in this area. Also, this study provides support to practitioners that SCI is an effective way of improving both supply chain performance and financial performance.

Enablers of supply chain integration: a technology-organization-environment view

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to empirically explore the effects and interaction effect of human resources and digital manufacturing technologies (DMTs) on supply chain integration (SCI) and how their roles are influenced by competition.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on the technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework, this study builds and tests a holistic model based on the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey (IMSS) project database.FindingsThe results show that human resources and DMTs have significant positive effects on three dimensions of SCI. Competition positively moderates the effects of human resources on customer integrations, negatively moderates the effects of human resource on internal integration, but does not moderate the effects of human resources on supplier integration. Besides, the moderating effect of competition has not been found in the relationships between DMTs and three SCI dimensions.Originality/valueBy investigating the effects of human resources and DMTs on SCI practices in the context of competition, this study contributes to the literature on SCI, DMTs and the TOE framework as well as offers practical insights that help manufacturing firms to promote SCI more effectively and efficiently.

Assessing the Moderation Role of ICT in the Relationship Between Supply Chain Integration and SME Performance

This paper investigates the direct effects of Supply Chain Integration (SCI) and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on firm performance, as well as the moderator effect of ICT. In the Abossey-Okai business enclave, the cross-sectional method was used to distribute questionnaires to owners of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to evaluate the various dimensions of the study. The results indicate that all SCI dimensions (customer, internal, and supplier) had a positive and significant effect on firm performance. Also, ICT had a positive moderating influence on the relationship between SCI dimensions and firm performance. ICT had a significant impact on firm performance. Practically, this research will assist owners and managers of SMEs in coordinating with various departments and implementing internal practices that will build up cooperation by sharing vital information and instituting ways of decreasing cost. With these structures in place, it will help focal firms cooperate and coordinate well with external players diligently and access vital information to improve overall performance. Examining the individual dimensional effect of SCI on SMEs performance and extending the framework by individually moderating the relationship with ICT tools, this research adds to SCI’s and ICT’s available literature.

Role of supply chain integration in the product innovation capability of servitized manufacturing companies

Scholars, managers, and policy makers are increasingly interested in the potential of servitization to enhance the innovation capabilities for manufacturing companies, among others. Collaboration within the supply chain appears to play a relevant role in the transition to service provision because of its relational character. Combining these elements in the same model, this study sheds light on the relationship between innovation capabilities and integration levels, both internally and externally with customers and suppliers, considering the level of servitization in different firms. Using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) on a sample of Basque manufacturing companies, this study reveals significant differences between manufacturing companies with low- and high-level services regarding the impact of customer integration on product innovation capability. The same result was not found for other supply chain dimensions—internal and supplier integration. These findings can be related to the prominent role of customer relationships and contacts in developing innovation capabilities in manufacturers’ services considered by some previous research. In addition, by analysing the different dimensions of supply chain integration separately, internal integration was found to be an enabler of external integration.

A review of supply chain integration constructs and a framework for future research

The purpose of this study is to assess the consistency of construct definition and measurement in the survey-based supply chain integration literature. A lack of consistency has been widely recognised and has contributed to a certain indiscernibility concerning the relationship between supply chain integration and performance. This study includes a comprehensive and systematic review of integration constructs and their measurement items, as well as on-site interviews with vice presidents responsible for overseeing supply chain operations in global corporations. Our analysis reveals the inconsistencies within the existing integration constructs and demonstrates how this may have contributed to a lack of consensus across the findings of existing empirical studies. To address this problem, we present the dimensions of supply chain integration and their interrelationships in a logical framework revealing the multiplicity of the integration dynamics. The framework will enable future researchers to consistently define and operationalise integration in supply chain research studies.