Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Exploring supply chain innovation

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Logistics Research

Abstract

Supply chain management promises competitive advantages for industrial organizations. The introduction of new products and services, or entry into new markets, is likely to be more successful if accompanied by innovative supply chain designs, innovative supply chain management practices, and enabling technology. This is a widely accepted premise in business practice today. However, systematic research and knowledge about supply chain innovation (SCI) is little developed. There is a lack of common terminology, of agreement about the conceptual understanding, and of related empirical work. This paper presents an exploratory study that aims to provide a better understanding of SCI, mirroring leading edge practice, and providing a sound terminological and conceptual basis for advanced academic work in the field. The research is based on an in-depth literature review and the analysis of a set of secondary data sources: 36 SCI cases, drawn from applications for the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals’ (CSCMP) Supply Chain Innovation Award. As results of the research, a new SCI definition, the construction of a descriptive model of its key elements, and discussion of implications are presented.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Alegre J, Lapiedra R, Chiva R (2006) A measurement scale for product innovation performance. Eur J Innova Manage 9(4):333–346

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Autry CW, Griffis SE (2008) Supply chain capital: the impact of structural and relational linkages on firm execution and innovation. J Bus Logistics 29(1):157–173

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Baumol WJ (2002) The free-market innovation machine: analyzing the growth miracle of capitalism Woodstock. Princeton University Press, Oxon

    Book  Google Scholar 

  4. Bello DC, Lohtia R, Sangtani V (2004) An institutional analysis of supply chain innovations in global marketing channels. Indus Mar Manage 33(1):57–64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Benbasat I, Goldstein DK, Mead M (1987) The case research strategy in studies of information system. MIS Quarterly 11(3):369–386

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Bessant J (2003) Challenges in innovation management. In: Shavinia LV (ed) International handbook on innovation. Elsevier Science Limited, London, pp 761–773

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  7. Bigliardi B, Dormio AI (2009) An empirical investigation of innovation determinants in food machinery enterprises. Eur J Innova Manage 12(2):223–242

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Billington C et al (2004) Accelerating the profitability of Hewlett-Packard’s supply chains. Interfaces 34(1):59–72

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Bolumule YA, Knemeyer A, Lambert DM (2003) The customer service management process. Int J Logistics Manage 14(2):15–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Bowersox DJ, Closs DJ, Cooper MB (2007) Supply chain logistics management. McGraw-Hill, New York

    Google Scholar 

  11. Bowersox DJ, Closs DJ, Stank TP (1999) 21st century logistics: making supply chain integration a reality. Council of Logistics Management, Oak Brook, Il

    Google Scholar 

  12. Boyer KK, Swink ML (2008) Empirical elephants—why multiple methods are essential to quality research in operations and supply chain management. J Opera Manage 26(3):338–344

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Braithwaite A, Knivett D (2009) Evaluating a supply chain’s carbon footprint. Logistics Transport Focus 11(1):18–22

    Google Scholar 

  14. Calantone RJ, Stanko MA (2007) Drivers of outsourced innovation: an exploratory study. J Prod Innova Manage 24(3):230–241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Chapman RL, Corso M (2005) Introductory paper from continuous improvement to collaborative innovation: the next challenge in supply chain management. Prod Plan Con 16(4):339–344

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Charvet FF, Cooper MC, Gardner JT (2008) The intellectual structure of supply chain management: a bibliometric approach. J Bus Logistics 29(1):47–73

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Chen IJ, Paulraj A (2004) Towards a theory of supply chain management: the constructs and measurements. J Opera Manage 22(2):119–150

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Chesbrough H, Rosenbloom RS (2002) The role of the business model in capturing value from innovation: evidence from xerox corporation’s technology spin-off companies. Indus Corpo Change 11(3):529–555

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Cooper MC, Lambert DM, Pagh JD (1997) Supply chain management: more than a new name for logistics. Int J Logistics Manage 8(1):1–14

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Cordero R (1990) The measurement of innovation performance in the firm: an overview. Res Policy 19(2):185–192

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Cox A (1999) A research agenda for supply chain and business management thinking. Suppl Chain Manage Int J 4(4):209–211

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Croxton KL (2003) The order fulfillment process. Int J Logistics Manage 14(1):19–33

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Croxton KL et al (2002) The demand management process. Int J Logistics Manage 13(2):51–66

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Croxton KL et al (2001) The supply chain management process. Int J Logistics Manage 12(2):13–36

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. CSCMP (2009) http://cscmp.org/education/awards/sci-guidelines.asp.

  26. Danermark B et al (2002) Explaining society: critical realism in social sciences. Routledge, London

    Google Scholar 

  27. Davenport TH (1993) Process innovation: reengineering work through information technology. Harvard Business School Press, Boston, MA

    Google Scholar 

  28. de Wit B, Meyer R (2004) Strategy: process, content and context—an international perspective. Thomson Learning, New York

    Google Scholar 

  29. DiPeso J (2009) Energizing the economy: Obama’s plan for green growth. Environ Qua Manage 18(3):93–98

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Dubois A, Gadde L-E (2002) Systematic combining: an abductive approach to case research. J Bus Res 55(7):553–560

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Eisenhardt KM (1989) Building theories from case study research. Aca Manage Rev 14(4):532–550

    Google Scholar 

  32. Ellram LM (1996) The use of the case study method in logistics research. J Bus Logistics 17(2):93–138

    Google Scholar 

  33. Engle P (2009) Evaluate customers and suppliers. Indus Eng IE 41(3):20

    Google Scholar 

  34. Ettlie JE (1979) Evolution of the productive segment and transportation innovations. Decis Sci 10(3):399–411

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Ettlie JE, Vellenga DB (1979) The adoption time period for some transportation innovations. Manage Sci 25(5):429–443

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Fine CH (1998) Clockspeed. Perseus Books, Reading

    Google Scholar 

  37. Fisher M (2007) Strengthening the empirical base of operations management. Manuf Ser Opera Manage 9(4):368–382

    Google Scholar 

  38. Flint DJ, Larsson E, Gammelgaard B (2008) Exploring processes for customer value insights, supply chain learning and innovation: an international study. J Bus Logistics 29(1):257–281

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Flint DJ et al (2005) Logistics innovation: a customer value-oriented social process. J Bus Logistics 26(1):113–147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Forrester JW (1958) Industrial dynamics: a major breakthrough for decision makers. Har Bus Rev 36(4):37–66

    Google Scholar 

  41. Freeman C, Soete L (1997) The economics of industrial innovation. Continium, London

    Google Scholar 

  42. Freeman C (1974) The economics of industrial innovation. Penguin Books, London

    Google Scholar 

  43. Goldsby TJ, García-Dastugue SJ (2003) The manufacturing flow management process. Int J Logistics Manage 14(2):33–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Grant DB et al (2006) Fundamentals of logistics management. The McGraw-Hill Companies, London

    Google Scholar 

  45. Grawe SJ (2009) Logistics innovation: a literature-based conceptual framework. Int J Logistics Manage 20(3):360–377

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Haner UE (2002) Innovation quality—a conceptual framework. Int J Prod Econo 80(1):31–37

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Henderson RM, Clark KB (1990) Architectural innovation: the reconfiguration of existing product technologies and the failure of established firms. Adm Sci Quart 35(1):9–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Hines P et al (1998) Value stream management. Int J Logistics Manage 9(1):25–42

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Hines P, Rich N (1997) The seven value stream mapping tools. Int J Phys Distrib Logistics Manage 17(1):46–64

    Google Scholar 

  50. Holmqvist M, Stefansson G (2006) Smart goods and mobile RFID a case with innovation from VOLVO. J Bus Logistics 27(2):251–272

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Holmström J et al (2000) The other end of the supply chain. McKinsey Q 1:63–71

    Google Scholar 

  52. Holmström J (1998) Business process innovation in the supply chain—a case study of implementing vendor managed inventory. Eur J Purch Supply Manage 4(2–3):127–131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Jiang B, Talluri S, Calantone R (2008) Determinants of interoutsourcing; an analytical approach. Decis Sci 39(1):65–84

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Johannessen JA, Olsen B, Lumpkin GT (2001) Innovation as newness: what is new, how new, and new to whom? Eur J Innova Manage 4(1):20–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Jonsson P, Kjellsdotter L, Rudberg M (2007) Applying advanced planning systems for supply chain planning: three case studies. Int J Phys Distrib Logistics Manage 37(10):816–834

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Kandampully J (2002) Innovation as the core competency of a service organization: the role of technology, knowledge and networks. Eur J Innova Manage 5(1):18–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Korpela J, Lehmusvaara A, Tuominen M (2001) An analytical approach to supply chain development. Int J Prod Econo 71(1–3):145–155

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. Kovács G, Spens KM (2005) Abductive reasoning in logistics research. Int J Phys Distrib Logistics Manage 35(2):132–144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. Krabbe M (2007) Leverage supply chain innovation. Ind Eng 39(12):26–30

    Google Scholar 

  60. Lambert DM, García-Dastugue SJ, Croxton KL (2005) An evaluation of process-oriented supply chain management frameworks. J Bus Logistics 25(1):25–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  61. Lambert DM, Cooper MC, Pagh JD (1998) Supply chain management: implementation issues and research opportunities. Int J Logistics Manage 9(2):1–19

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. Lambert DM, Emmelhainz MA, Gardner JT (1996) Developing and implementing supply chain partnerships. Int J Logistics Manage 7(2):1–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  63. Larson PD, Poist RF, Halldórsson A (2007) Perspectives on logistics vs. SCM: a survey of SCM professionals. J Bus Logistics 28(1):1–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  64. Lundvall BÅ (1992) National systems of innovation: towards a theory of innovation and interactive learning. Pinters Publishers, London

    Google Scholar 

  65. Meade N, Islam T (2006) Modeling and forecasting the diffusion of innovation–a 25-year review. Int J Forecas 22(3):519–545

    Article  Google Scholar 

  66. Mentzer JT, Stank TP, Esper TL (2008) Supply chain management and its relationship to logistics, marketing, production, and operations management. J Bus Logistics 29(1):31–46

    Article  Google Scholar 

  67. Mentzer JT et al (2001) Defining supply chain management. J Bus Logistics 22(2):1–25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  68. Miles MB, Huberman M (1994) Qualitative data analysis. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA

    Google Scholar 

  69. Moberg CR et al (2008) Time to remodel. CSCMP Supply Chain Q 2(3):36–48

    Google Scholar 

  70. Narasimhan R, Talluri S (2009) Perspectives on risk management in supply chains. J Opera Manage 27(2):114–118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  71. Nodleman W et al (2009) Reality check on outsourcing, credit, logistics and globalization. Purch 138(5):17

    Google Scholar 

  72. Ohno T (1988) Toyota production system: beyond large-scale production. Productivity Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  73. Orlickly J (1975) Materials requirements planning. McGraw-Hill, New York

    Google Scholar 

  74. Prahalad CK, Krishnan MS (2008) The new age of innovation: driving cocreated value through global networks. McGraw-Hill, New York

    Google Scholar 

  75. Robertson PW, Gibson PR, Flanagan JT (2002) Strategic supply chain development by integration of key global logistical process linkages. Int J Prod Res 40(16):4021–4040

    Article  Google Scholar 

  76. Rogers DS, Lambert DM, Knemeyer AM (2004) The product development and commercialization process. Int J Logis Manage 15(1):43–56

    Article  Google Scholar 

  77. Rogers DS et al (2002) The returns management process. Int J Logis Manage 13(2):1–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  78. Rogers EM (1995) Diffusion of innovations. The Free Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  79. Roth AV (2007) Applications of empirical science in manufacturing and service operations. Manuf Ser Opera Manage 9(4):353–367

    Google Scholar 

  80. Russell DM, Hoag AM (2004) People and information technology in the supply chain: social and organizational influences on adoption. Int J Phys Distrib Logistics Manage 34(2):102–122

    Article  Google Scholar 

  81. Santosh DBL, Smith LS (2008) RFID in the supply chain: panacea or Pandora’s box? Com ACM 51(10):127–131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  82. Schumpeter JA (1934) The theory of economic development. Harvard University Press, Boston

    Google Scholar 

  83. Sebastiao HJ, Golicic S (2008) Supply chain strategy for nascent firms in emerging technology markets. J Bus Logistics 29(1):75–91

    Article  Google Scholar 

  84. Singhal J, Singhal K (2002) Supply chains and compatibility among components in product design. J Ope Manage 20(3):289–302

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  85. Skjøtt-Larsen T et al (2007) Managing the global supply chain. Copenhagen Business School Press, Copenhagen

    Google Scholar 

  86. Smits M, Janssen R (2008) Impact of electronic auctions on health care markets. Elec Mark 18(1):19–29

    Article  Google Scholar 

  87. Soosay CA, Hyland PW (2004) Driving innovation in logistics: case studies in distribution centres. Crea Innova Manage 13(1):41–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  88. Srai JS, Gregory M (2008) A supply network configuration perspective on international supply chain development. Int J Ope Prod Manage 28(5):386–411

    Article  Google Scholar 

  89. Stonebraker PW, Afifi R (2004) Toward a contingency theory of supply chains. Manage Decis 42(9):1131–1144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  90. Supply-Chain Council (2008) Supply chain operations reference-model. Scor overview version 9.0

  91. Tang NKH, Burridge M, Ang A (2003) Development of an electronic-business planning model for small and medium-sized enterprises. Int J Logistics Res Appl 6(4):189–304

    Google Scholar 

  92. Tidd J, Bessant J (2009) Managing innovation: integrating technological, market and organizational change. Wiley, Chichester

    Google Scholar 

  93. Trott P (2005) Innovation management and new product development. Pearson Education, London

    Google Scholar 

  94. Twede D (2002) The process of logistical packaging innovation. J Bus Logistics 13(1):69–94

    Google Scholar 

  95. Wagner S (2008) Innovation management in the German transportation industry. J Bus Logistics 29(2):215–231

    Article  Google Scholar 

  96. Yin RK (2009) Case study research: design and methods. Sage Publications, London

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jan Stentoft Arlbjørn.

Appendix

Appendix

See Table 5.

Table 5 An overview of applications nominated for the CSCMP supply chain award

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Arlbjørn, J.S., de Haas, H. & Munksgaard, K.B. Exploring supply chain innovation. Logist. Res. 3, 3–18 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12159-010-0044-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12159-010-0044-3

Keywords

Navigation