Supply management: is it a discipline?

Abstract

PurposeTo examine management literature for guidance on what constitutes a discipline. To examine supply management publications to determine whether the field constitutes a discipline or an emerging discipline. To contribute a structured evaluation to the body of supply management theory/discipline development knowledge.Design/methodology/approachLiterature review of what constitutes a discipline and an initial assessment of whether supply management is a discipline. Development of research questions used to design tests, using combinations of qualitative pattern matching, journal quality rankings, and social science citations index impact factor. Application of the tests, to evaluate field coherence, quality and the existence of a discipline‐debate, to determine whether supply management is an emerging discipline.FindingsAn initial literature review finds supply management not to be a discipline, as the field lacks quality of theoretical development and discussion, and coherence. Tests for increasing evidence of coherence, quality and impact yield positive results, indicating that supply management is progressing in its theoretical development. The test findings combined with the existence of the start of a discipline‐debate indicate that supply management should be judged to be an emerging discipline.Originality/valueDrawing from the management literature, the paper provides a unique structured evaluation of the field of supply management, finding it not to be a discipline, but showing evidence of being an emerging discipline.

Supply Chain Management measurement and its influence on Operational Performance

“…However, it also produced a fragmented literature, lacking commonly accepted frameworks and clear constructs, undermining knowledge advancement (Burgess et al, 2006;Harland et al 2006). …”

“…On the theoretical development, Harland et al (2006) demonstrated that SCM is still an emerging discipline and there is no consensus about its definition and constructs resulting in a fragmented literature, with difficulties in knowledge advance (Burgess, Singh, & Koroglu, 2006;Mentzer et al 2001: Gibson, Mentzer, & Cook, 2005.…”

Resource dependency and collaboration in construction supply chain: literature review and development of a conceptual framework

“…Literature review is a systematic, explicit, and reproducible design for identifying, evaluating, interpreting/synthesising, and refining the existing body of scattered knowledge in recorded documents (Fink, 1998). Literature review usually summarise existing research by identifying patterns, themes and issues (Seuring and Muller, 2008), can contribute to identify the conceptual content of the field towards theory development (Meredith, 1993), helps to identify the knowledge gaps to be filled in order to develop the existing body of knowledge (Harland et al, 2006;Tranfield et al, 2003). During theory development process, logic relaces data as the basis for evaluation (Meredith, 1993).…”

Determinants of International Purchasing Success: An Analysis of the Status Quo of Research

“…In spite of the variety of theories used, Harland et al (2006) conclude that there is still a lack of theory in the field, and that purchasing and even SCM as a scientific discipline are still in its infancy (see also Quintens et al, 2006b). The more optimistic view on the situation is that of Chicksand, Watson, Walker, Radnor, and Johnston, who hold that "although a young discipline, P&SCM is also a relatively rich one" (Chicksand et al, 2012: 458).…”