Structuration theory: its potential impact on logistics research

Abstract

While the physical paths that goods traverse are being simplified, the capture, storage, processing and dissemination of information associated with logistics has become considerably more complex. Logistics researchers need to better understand the behavioral and managerial issues created by information technology implementation. The paper suggests that structuration theory, a research approach derived from sociology that has become well established in the study of information systems, can contribute to that understanding. This paper introduces logistics researchers to structuration theory as a useful theoretical framework that can help understand the relationship between technologies, the people who interpret them, and the patterns of use that stem from that interpretation. IntroductionThe evolution of advanced information technologies (AITs) is having a fundamental impact on the physical and information flows that characterize logistics activities. Although the physical paths goods traverse are being simplified due, in part, to outsourcing (Sarkar et al., 1998;Lewis and Talalayevsky, 2000), the ability of AITs to capture, process, store, and disseminate large amounts of supply chain information has significantly increased the complexity of organizational members' and suppliers' tasks, and made more dynamic the systems within which they work.Following DeSanctis and Poole (1994), we define AITs as the tools, techniques, and knowledge (e.g. collaborative customer management and supply chain management (SCM) systems, groupware such as e-mail and intranets, and decision support systems) that promote participation in organizational and inter-organizational activities by a wide range of organizational members and stakeholders. These AITs can make real-time information available to members at all levels in the organization, to suppliers, and to customers. If this information and knowledge is used wisely, organizations can build customized relationships with their suppliers and customers, leading to a significant strategic advantage over competitors.Effectively adopting and implementing AITs to strategically manage supply chain information, communication, and relationships is not only a

Gaining access to agency and structure in industrial marketing theory

“…First, under environmental determinism, options are limited by the possibility that only one option will lead to survival in certain external environmental conditions, while the other options will result in extinction. Typically, cause and effect relationships between actors and external determinants have been exposed in quantitative variance theories (Lewis and Suchan, 2003;Markus & Robey, 1988;Langley, 1999) espoused in the majority of industrial marketing papers. In a second form of determinism, action determinism, the environment is of secondary importance: outcomes are instead determined by the constitution and in-built preferences of the actors themselves.…”

Theoretical perspectives on the coordination of supply chains

“…The third, adaptive structuration theory (AST), has been used as a theoretical lens on the effective deployment of IT systems to attain organizational goals in the social sciences. Despite calls for its use (Lewis and Suchan, 2003), it has seen little application in the field of operations management. Our efforts to link RBV, CAS, and AST in explaining changes in supply‐chain strategy follow the call to extend the epistemological base of supply chain and operations management research, especially with respect to exploring the contextual issues surrounding the interaction of physical assets, humans, and technology (Melnyk and Handfield, 1998).…”

“…The type and degree of adaptation will vary across firms, depending on the organizational structures in place. The differences in organizational structures and procedures determine the degree of change triggered by the technology implementation, and whether the change enhances or undermines organizational effectiveness (Lewis and Suchan, 2003). Lewis and Suchan (2003, p. 296), identify AST as ‘[…] a useful theoretical framework that can help understand the relationship between technologies, the people who interpret them, and the patterns of use that stem from that interpretation’.…”

“…The differences in organizational structures and procedures determine the degree of change triggered by the technology implementation, and whether the change enhances or undermines organizational effectiveness (Lewis and Suchan, 2003). Lewis and Suchan (2003, p. 296), identify AST as ‘[…] a useful theoretical framework that can help understand the relationship between technologies, the people who interpret them, and the patterns of use that stem from that interpretation’. They suggest that AST provides a potentially significant lens on how change in information technology affects supply‐chain evolution, in the intra as well as inter‐organizational contexts.…”

“…As a result, there is a great interest in the operations management (OM) literature in the coordinating mechanisms and the associated information technology (IT) systems that facilitate supply-chain integration and coordination, especially with respect to control and connectivity (Mukhopadhyay et al, 1997;Lee et al, 2000;Ye and Farley, 2006). At the same time, researchers in the supply-chain arena have noted the importance of considering cultural, organizational, and path dependence challenges in attaining IT system shifts, such as those needed to bring about customer responsiveness (Choi and Liker, 2002;Lewis and Suchan, 2003).…”