The Role of Trust and Collaboration toward Innovation in Outsourced Manufacturing Supply Chains: A Systematic Review

摘要

As organizations shift more work to outsourced partners, a problem for management is how to accomplish not only short-term/tactical performance but also how to leverage network relationships for long-term/strategic advantage. Outsourced manufacturing supply chains represent a unique context for study as internal and external participants share a common goal for supply chain performance but also have separate and independent goals. Trust and collaboration are among the inputs that can influence supply chain outcomes, but there is a gap in understanding these variables with respect to strategic outcomes like innovation. This research uses systematic review of peer reviewed literature to examine the role of trust and collaboration in outsourced manufacturing supply chains, and specifically the potential for these variables to shape relationships for advancing innovation. Two conditions are found that derive from the presence of trust: 1) willingness to engage, and 2) commitment for long-term relationship and to overcome failures. Three conditions are found that derive from the presence of collaboration: 1) awareness of capability, 2) sharing information, and 3) integration of resources. These conditions shape an underlying mindset that can either advance or diminish innovation, and together create either transactional, operational, serendipitous, or strategic orientations. The conclusion is that a strategic orientation promotes the path for innovation and arises from high willingness, commitment, awareness, sharing, and integration that are shaped by trust and collaboration. The findings have implication for organizations that seek to foster interactions for innovation and to go beyond what is necessary to accomplish short-term operational objectives.