Implementation of SCM in inter-organizational relationships: a symbolic perspective

摘要

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate supply chain management (SCM) as arnmanagement implement from a symbolic perspective on a dyadic level. So far, no research hasrninvestigated SCM from such a perspective, although SCM researchers implicitly have noted that itrnwould be useful to have such a study in order to broaden the understanding of the SCM concept, as such arnstudy allows for the use of alternative sociological theories.rnDesign/methodology/approach - A single case study was chosen in order to investigate a focalrnfirm's use of SCM. A total of 27 hours of interviews and 15 hours of observations were carried out at thernfocal firm and with a number of the firm's suppliers in order to investigate the subject.rnFindings - The paper found that the SCM concept impacts the relationship between buyer andrnsupplier in different ways depending on two dimensions: SCM as tool vs symbol and arm's lengthrnrelationships vs strategic partnerships. Contrary to the mainstream idea of SCM as a tool for increasedrneffectiveness of supply chains and increased collaboration with key suppliers, this paper found thatrnSCM from a symbolic perspective at the focal firm came to function as either a justification or as arnpost-rationalization for actions taken by the focal firm depending on whether the relationship can bernconsidered a strategic partnerships or an arm's length relationship, respectively.rnResearch limitations/implications - The paper was conducted from a dyadic, buyer-supplierrnperspective. Being a limitation of the study, future research should investigate the proposed claims setrnforward in this paper on different levels (focal, chain, and network) in order to either strengthen orrnweaken the credibility of this present paper.rnOriginality/value - This is the first paper to investigate the management implement of SCM from arnsymbolic perspective.