Mapping the Landscape of Future Research Themes in Supply Chain Management

Abstract

Supply chain researchers are confronted with a dizzying array of research questions, many of which are not mutually independent. This research was motivated by the need to map the landscape of research themes, identify potential overlapping areas and interactions, and provide guidelines on areas of focus for researchers to pursue. We conducted a three‐phase research study, beginning with an open‐ended collection of opinions on research themes collected from 102 supply chain management (SCM) researchers, followed by an evaluation of a consolidated list of themes by 141 SCM researchers. These results were then reviewed by 10 SCM scholars. Potential interactions and areas of overlap were identified, classified, and integrated into a compelling set of ideas for future research in the field of SCM. We believe these ideas provide a forward‐looking view on those themes that will become important, as well as those that researchers believe should be focused on. While areas of research deemed to become most important include big data and analytics, the most under‐researched areas include efforts that target the “people dimension” of SCM, ethical issues and internal integration. The themes are discussed in the context of current developments that the authors believe will provide a valuable foundation for future research.

How to Achieve Supply Chain Sustainability Efficiently? Taming the Triple Bottom Line Split Business Cycle

“…The discussion connected to this question should be continued also regarding the further exploration towards a deeper and richer social dimension of the triple bottom line for LSP as for example suggested by Wieland, Handfield and Durach [192]. (v) The established indicators within this DEA Malmquist index calculation -asset and revenue volume as input types as well as EBIT, dividend, GHG emissions, employment and women participation in management as output types-have been proven to be relevant and meaningful for management science research regarding LSP.…”

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“…The suggested indicators like employment for the social dimension of the triple bottom line are found to be very interesting as, especially in a traditional efficiency and production analysis setting, such indicators would have to be used as input types but are employed here as output types. The discussion connected to this question should be continued regarding the further exploration tof a deeper and richer social dimension of the triple bottom line for LSP, as suggested by Wieland, Handfield, and Durach [170]. The established indicators within this DEA Malmquist index calculation, including asset and revenue volume as input types as well as EBIT, dividend, GHG emissions, employment, and women participating in management as output types, have been proven to signify research and management science value in their result output.…”

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