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PurposeThe paper seeks to understand and analyse how integration changes in one supply chain are influenced by the overlap between chainsDesign/methodology/approachThe paper discusses the concepts of supply chain, firm network, overlap and integration. It takes a dynamic perspective focusing on continuing processes of change in the degree of integration within and between networks. The three examples are based on more than 70 interviews over a long period of time of firms involved in the transportation, automotive and construction industries.FindingsThe paper finds that the overlap between supply chains in terms of actors, resources and activities could seriously delay, hinder and increase costs to the process when changing the degree of integration in one chain. Therefore, supply chain myopia might lead to an increase in the total costs of a firm. Further, there is a trade‐off between the costs of integration in the focal chain and increasing costs arising from decreased integration in overlapping supply chains. Failure to consider the negative effects and the resistance caused by delays and dissolving relationships within overlapping supply chains can be detrimental. The overlap between chains can be both positive and negative, and can be reversed over time.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is limited to three examples and the interaction between two supply chains in each case. Since interdependencies might exist between several supply chains, the effects of change could have implications for more than one other supply chain.Practical implicationsWhen changing existing or developing supply chains for new businesses, firms need to take into consideration the effects and reactions of other chains. Integration between two chains might facilitate the development of business but may also actually hinder its future development.Originality/valueThe interdependencies between supply chains imply that strong pressure towards supply chain integration focusing on one chain, in literature and practice, has to be questioned for the single firm. Another specific value is the importance of existing chains for the development of new businesses.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to research the nature of supply chain strategy (SCS). It represents one stage of an on‐going research initiative aimed at providing a framework for systematic understanding of the linkages between corporate strategy (CS) making and supply chain management (SCM).Design/methodology/approachThe paper explored the theory and literature related to strategic management and SCM. Four generic levels of strategy were linked to SCM, and synthesized into an explanatory SCS‐framework. Propositions for future research were presented based on the framework.FindingsThe paper shows that most of the literature on SCS relates to the functional level. Largely undiscovered are the links between corporate and business unit strategies with supply chain strategies and capabilities, especially on the network level (NL).Practical implicationsA fit between CS and SCM positively impacts the performance of a firm. The framework developed can be used by managers to assist in thinking through possibilities to link supply chain capabilities with the CS making processes.Originality/valueBy distinguishing between functional, business, corporate, and NLs, the paper provides a framework for future research to enhance knowledge related to supply chain strategies and capabilities.

Supply chains can play a major role in reducing countries' safety and security threats; the role of network responsiveness offers insights into management exchanges responding to the preparedness of developed countries like Sweden. Illustrating the managing of overall supply chain capabilities among network responsiveness stems from the supply chain responsiveness concept. Several challenges to responsiveness prevent actors' networks from fully benefitting from coordination. A management approach is employed to explore the impact of network responsiveness on the supply chain as an overarching strategy for safety and security. The study suggests three different approaches which differ in their impact on the network's responsiveness: (i) an overall strategic planning approach, (ii) one integrated system approach for the overall response, and (iii) a coordination approach for managing the overall supply chain responsiveness strategy.

Voluntary networks are actors in civil society and central to the emergency preparedness efficiency of developed countries'. This study focuses on the voluntary defense networks in Sweden, a unique set of networks that contribute to the efficiency of emergency preparedness. Through interviews with experts in Swedish civil and military fields and their associated voluntary defense networks, as well as secondary data, we examined the coordination of these voluntary defense networks in practice. Although voluntary network coordination is highly associated with efficiency, in practice, most voluntary networks are not well coordinated. This study confirms that civil and military practitioners in developed countries, struggling with the coordination of voluntary networks are not isolated in their struggle; inattentive practices are indeed the norm. This article also establishes a course that civil and military practitioners can follow to improve emergency response efficiency.

Voluntary networks are actors in civil society and central to the emergency preparedness efficiency of developed countries'. This study focuses on the voluntary defense networks in Sweden, a unique set of networks that contribute to the efficiency of emergency preparedness. Through interviews with experts in Swedish civil and military fields and their associated voluntary defense networks, as well as secondary data, we examined the coordination of these voluntary defense networks in practice. Although voluntary network coordination is highly associated with efficiency, in practice, most voluntary networks are not well coordinated. This study confirms that civil and military practitioners in developed countries, struggling with the coordination of voluntary networks are not isolated in their struggle; inattentive practices are indeed the norm. This article also establishes a course that civil and military practitioners can follow to improve emergency response efficiency. ; Las redes voluntarias son actores de la sociedad civil e importantes para la eficiencia en la preparación de emergencia de los países desarrollados. Este estudio es sobre las redes de defensa voluntarias en Suecia, un conjunto único de redes voluntarias que contribuyen a la eficiencia de la preparación para emergencias. Las entrevistas con expertos en el campo civil y militar sueco y sus redes de defensa voluntarias asociadas y datos secundarios expusieron el examen de la coordinación de la red de defensa voluntaria en la práctica. La coordinación voluntaria de la red está significativamente asociada con la eficiencia, pero en la práctica, la mayoría de las redes voluntarias no están bien coordinadas. Si los profesionales civiles y militares de los países desarrollados están luchando con la coordinación de redes voluntarias, este estudio confirma que no son únicos en su lucha. La práctica indiferente es de hecho la norma. Los profesionales civiles y militares pueden seguir una ruta adecuada aquí establecida cuando se busca mejorar la eficiencia ...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand the needs of the supply-chain (SC) network when coping with permanent and temporary demands, this paper analyzes the Swedish emergency preparedness SC network. This network comprises planning procedures and resources, as well as numerous organizations and other participants in civil society that take part in the system to cope with threats and ongoing crises. Planning constitutes a critical infrastructure because the system must develop the ability to shift SC functions from permanent to temporary networks in ongoing crises and war. Design/methodology/approach – A research study is performed based on data gathered by three qualitative methods concerning the SC network of emergency preparedness planning. Findings – This study demonstrates the relevance of a wide empirical field challenging several theoretical perspectives of the SC network in preparedness planning and the shift to ongoing crises. Further research targeting key capabilities is needed to further improve understanding of the challenges for developed countries in managing potential threats and crises. Originality/value – Actors taking part in the preparedness system have found it challenging to coordinate. Due, in part, to the lack of a common threat profile, key capabilities remain outside preparedness planning, e.g., military, commercial and voluntary actors as well as unclear and inconsistent regulations. Thus, building the SC network demonstrates the need to target the military, the voluntary and commercial sectors and their ability to develop the networks in preparedness planning. In a reformed system, all actors must strengthen civil defense in an all-hazard approach, which in planning encompasses the entire threat scale, demonstrating key functions and the ability to shift to temporary networks responding to ongoing crises, including war.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify Nordic doctoral dissertations in logistics and supply chain management (SCM) published from the years 2002 to 2008. The paper then seeks to analyze the identified dissertations by categorizing them in various dimensions, including but not limited to subject, methodology, and type of contribution. Subsequently, the paper compares the analysis of the dissertations with results obtained in a previous study that also concerned Nordic dissertations only published from 1990 to 2001, effectively opening up for longitudinal interpretations.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on reviews of 70 Nordic doctoral dissertations within logistics and SCM published at relevant Nordic research institutions. All dissertations were reviewed according to a priori determined categories adopted from a similar, previous study in order to strengthen the validity of the longitudinal comparison.FindingsThis paper identifies a clear and significant trend towards: more dissertations based on a collection of articles than monographs; more dissertations focusing on manufacturing companies and fewer on carriers; a shift from a focal company perspective to more dyadic and supply chain‐related research and finally; and a decreasing focus on the philosophy in science.Research limitations/implicationsDespite the thorough method applied, there is possibility that a few dissertations might not have been identified in this paper.Originality/valueThis paper is a continuation of documenting the progress of doctoral work in logistics and SCM within the Nordic countries from the years 2002 to 2008.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate supply chain management (SCM) as a management implement from a symbolic perspective on a dyadic level. So far, no research has investigated SCM from such a perspective, although SCM researchers implicitly have noted that it would be useful to have such a study in order to broaden the understanding of the SCM concept, as such a study allows for the use of alternative sociological theories.Design/methodology/approachA single case study was chosen in order to investigate a focal firm's use of SCM. A total of 27 hours of interviews and 15 hours of observations were carried out at the focal firm and with a number of the firm's suppliers in order to investigate the subject.FindingsThe paper found that the SCM concept impacts the relationship between buyer and supplier in different ways depending on two dimensions: SCM as tool vs symbol and arm's length relationships vs strategic partnerships. Contrary to the mainstream idea of SCM as a tool for increased effectiveness of supply chains and increased collaboration with key suppliers, this paper found that SCM from a symbolic perspective at the focal firm came to function as either a justification or as a post‐rationalization for actions taken by the focal firm depending on whether the relationship can be considered a strategic partnerships or an arm's length relationship, respectively.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper was conducted from a dyadic, buyer‐supplier perspective. Being a limitation of the study, future research should investigate the proposed claims set forward in this paper on different levels (focal, chain, and network) in order to either strengthen or weaken the credibility of this present paper.Originality/valueThis is the first paper to investigate the management implement of SCM from a symbolic perspective.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose a framework for describing and analyzing misalignments in supply chain management related to changes in supply chain structures, processes and management components.Design/methodology/approachBased on the systems approach, a single‐case study including several embedded cases from the same supply chain was deployed. This was done according to the abductive research approach, which is favourable when extending existing and developing new theory. Data were collected through observations, interviews and workshops, and later analyzed through pattern matching. The case studied was the Swedish cash supply chain, which was appropriate since it has gone through several changes in its supply chain structure and management.FindingsA framework to describe and analyze misalignments in the supply chain was developed. The framework consists of three steps: first, identify changes in the supply chain, second, Identify Misalignments, and third, identify symptoms. For each step, a specific and more detailed framework was developed in order to facilitate the identification processes.Originality/valueUsing the framework described in this paper a researcher or practitioner acquires a structured approach to mapping the management of a supply chain so that its current misalignments can be identified.

Voluntary networks are actors in civil society and central to the emergency preparedness efficiency of developed countries'. This study focuses on the voluntary defense networks in Sweden, a unique set of networks that contribute to the efficiency of emergency preparedness. Through interviews with experts in Swedish civil and military fields and their associated voluntary defense networks, as well as secondary data, we examined the coordination of these voluntary defense networks in practice. Although voluntary network coordination is highly associated with efficiency, in practice, most voluntary networks are not well coordinated. This study confirms that civil and military practitioners in developed countries, struggling with the coordination of voluntary networks are not isolated in their struggle; inattentive practices are indeed the norm. This article also establishes a course that civil and military practitioners can follow to improve emergency response efficiency. ; Las redes voluntarias son actores de la sociedad civil e importantes para la eficiencia en la preparación de emergencia de los países desarrollados. Este estudio es sobre las redes de defensa voluntarias en Suecia, un conjunto único de redes voluntarias que contribuyen a la eficiencia de la preparación para emergencias. Las entrevistas con expertos en el campo civil y militar sueco y sus redes de defensa voluntarias asociadas y datos secundarios expusieron el examen de la coordinación de la red de defensa voluntaria en la práctica. La coordinación voluntaria de la red está significativamente asociada con la eficiencia, pero en la práctica, la mayoría de las redes voluntarias no están bien coordinadas. Si los profesionales civiles y militares de los países desarrollados están luchando con la coordinación de redes voluntarias, este estudio confirma que no son únicos en su lucha. La práctica indiferente es de hecho la norma. Los profesionales civiles y militares pueden seguir una ruta adecuada aquí establecida cuando se busca mejorar la eficiencia de la respuesta de emergencia.

PurposeMany companies are part of parent‐subsidiary supply chains, i.e. organisations where a parent company receives products from its subsidiary or the other way around. Having this close relationship in a supply chain network opens the possibilities for different setups of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems across such companies. This paper clarifies the different ERP system strategies for companies in parent‐subsidiary supply chains and the consequences of choosing the different strategies.Design/methodology/approachIn order to position the contributions of the paper, literature on the use of ERP systems in supply chain management (SCM) is investigated. Next, four archetypical ERP system setups across parent‐subsidiary supply chains are defined. The consequences of the four defined setups are deduced. Three case studies are presented to justify the relevance of the defined four ERP system strategies and to further investigate the consequences of choosing these (one case study represents two strategies).FindingsThe paper shows that there are significant impacts of choosing one of the four ERP system setups across parent‐subsidiary supply chains, e.g. quality of communication, degree of local management, synergy effects, etc. Furthermore, the paper shows that extant literature dealing with ERP systems and SCM fails to consider this aspect, which may at worst lead to incorrect generalisations.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper clarifies the importance of considering different ERP system setups in parent‐subsidiary relationships. Future research in ERP systems and SCM needs to focus more on this aspect.Practical implicationsThe paper provides an improved basis for companies in parent‐subsidiary supply chains that are to implement ERP systems or are to rethink their current ERP strategy.Originality/valueThe definition of ERP system setups across parent‐subsidiary supply chains and the clarification of the consequences of these strategies represent new and useful contributions to the SCM and the ERP literature.