Complexity and Adaptivity in Supply Networks: Building Supply Network Theory Using a Complex Adaptive Systems Perspective*

Abstract

Supply networks are composed of large numbers of firms from multiple interrelated industries. Such networks are subject to shifting strategies and objectives within a dynamic environment. In recent years, when faced with a dynamic environment, several disciplines have adopted the Complex Adaptive System (CAS) perspective to gain insights into important issues within their domains of study. Research investigations in the field of supply networks have also begun examining the merits of complexity theory and the CAS perspective. In this article, we bring the applicability of complexity theory and CAS into sharper focus, highlighting its potential for integrating existing supply chain management (SCM) research into a structured body of knowledge while also providing a framework for generating, validating, and refining new theories relevant to real-world supply networks. We suggest several potential research questions to emphasize how a * We sincerely thank Professors Thomas Choi (Arizona State University), David Dilts (Vanderbilt University), and Kevin Dooley (Arizona State University) for their help, guidance, and support. † Corresponding author. 548 Complexity and Adaptivity in Supply NetworksCAS perspective can help in enriching the SCM discipline. We propose that the SCM research community adopt such a dynamic and systems-level orientation that brings to the fore the adaptivity of firms and the complexity of their interrelations that are often inherent in supply networks.

The Prism of Elasticity in Rebound Effect Modelling: An Insight from the Freight Transport Sector

“…Network theory has also gained the attention of supply chain analysis scholars as a way of overcoming the established linear and static view of production processes using 'complex adaptive systems' [43]. Similar to the idea presented here, but at a lower scale of analysis, supply chains are approached as evolving networks exchanging 'materials and information' [44]. Few studies, however, take a strictly quantitative approach to describe the structure and properties of such networks [45].…”

Autonomous Co-operation and Control in Complex Adaptive Logistic Systems – Contributions and Limitations for the Innovation Capability of International Supply Networks

“…The degree of filtering the incoming data is dependent on the analytics and the dominant logic, that is in turn dependent on the agent's and the sub-system's abilities to learn [36]. In logistics systems, that consist of a large number of organizations (sub-systems) and their agents [18], this intelligence might be cumulated and can therefore be called the intelligence of whole systems, in this case of CALS.…”

“…That is, why processes of co-evolution can be observed on both levels: the company level as well as the network level. Therefore, ISN can be understood and described as complex adaptive logistic systems (CALS) [15,16,17,18]. This understanding establishes -on the basis of a complexity science perspective -an analogy between supply networks and complex adaptive systems as they have been described in the literature e.g.…”

On the road to carbon reduction in a food supply network: a complex adaptive systems perspective

“…a dynamic system that is difficult to predict and control (Choi et al, 2001, Carter et al, 2015b. While CAS has been used to analyse supply networks (Pathak et al, 2007, Nair et al, 2009, Choi et Touboulic, A., Matthews, L. & Marques, L. To appear in Supply Chain Management: An International Journal (Accepted April 2018 al., 2001, Surana et al, 2005, studies specifically using CAS as a framework in the field of SSCM remain scarce. A notable exception is the work of Nair and colleagues on environmental innovation diffusion (Nair et al, 2016) that calls for more research around supply network dynamics associated with positive changes such as environmental strategies.…”