TY - JOUR

T1 - Supply chain evolution – theory, concepts and science

AU - MacCarthy, B.L.

AU - Blome, C.

AU - Olhager, J.

AU - Srai, J.S.

AU - Zhao, Xiande

PY - 2016/12/5

Y1 - 2016/12/5

N2 - PurposeSupply chains evolve and change in size, shape and configuration, and in how they are coordinated, controlled and managed. Some supply chains are mature and relatively unchanging. Some are subject to significant change. New supply chains may emerge and evolve for a variety of reasons. The purpose of this paper is to examine the nature of supply chain evolution and address the question “What makes a supply chain like it is?”Design/methodology/approachThe paper analyses and develops key aspects, concepts and principal themes concerning the emergence and evolution of supply chains over their lifecycle.FindingsThe paper defines the supply chain lifecycle and identifies six factors that interact and may affect a supply chain over its lifecycle – technology and innovation, economics, markets and competition, policy and regulation, procurement and sourcing, supply chain strategies and re-engineering. A number of emergent themes and propositions on factors affecting a supply chain’s characteristics over its lifecycle are presented. The paper argues that a new science is needed to investigate and understand the supply chain lifecycle.Practical implicationsSupply chains are critical for the world economy and essential for modern life. Understanding the supply chain lifecycle and how supply chains evolve provides new perspectives for contemporary supply chain design and management.Originality/valueThe paper presents detailed analysis, critique and reflections from leading researchers on emerging, evolving and mature supply chains.

AB - PurposeSupply chains evolve and change in size, shape and configuration, and in how they are coordinated, controlled and managed. Some supply chains are mature and relatively unchanging. Some are subject to significant change. New supply chains may emerge and evolve for a variety of reasons. The purpose of this paper is to examine the nature of supply chain evolution and address the question “What makes a supply chain like it is?”Design/methodology/approachThe paper analyses and develops key aspects, concepts and principal themes concerning the emergence and evolution of supply chains over their lifecycle.FindingsThe paper defines the supply chain lifecycle and identifies six factors that interact and may affect a supply chain over its lifecycle – technology and innovation, economics, markets and competition, policy and regulation, procurement and sourcing, supply chain strategies and re-engineering. A number of emergent themes and propositions on factors affecting a supply chain’s characteristics over its lifecycle are presented. The paper argues that a new science is needed to investigate and understand the supply chain lifecycle.Practical implicationsSupply chains are critical for the world economy and essential for modern life. Understanding the supply chain lifecycle and how supply chains evolve provides new perspectives for contemporary supply chain design and management.Originality/valueThe paper presents detailed analysis, critique and reflections from leading researchers on emerging, evolving and mature supply chains.

KW - Segmentation

KW - Differentiation

KW - Evolution

KW - Supply Chain

KW - Emergence

KW - Life cycle

U2 - 10.1108/IJOPM-02-2016-0080

DO - 10.1108/IJOPM-02-2016-0080

M3 - Journal article

VL - 36

SP - 1696

EP - 1718

JO - International Journal of Operations and Production Management

JF - International Journal of Operations and Production Management

SN - 0144-3577

IS - 12

ER -