Purpose – To introduce the special issue focusing on the question: is supply chain management (SCM) an emerging academic discipline? Design/methodology/approach – A brief discussion of the papers in the special issue. Findings – Outlines how the papers stimulate debate on the nature and...

Purpose – The field of supply chain management (SCM) has historically been informed by knowledge from narrow functional areas. While some effort towards producing a broader organizational perspective has been made, nonetheless, SCM continues to be largely eclectic with little consensus on its...

Purpose – To 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...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to critically assess current developments in the theory and practice of supply management and through such an assessment to identify barriers, possibilities and key trends. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on a three‐year detailed...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the different patterns of purchasing function configuration, and the relationship between such patterns and organisational performance. Design/methodology/approach – Despite considerable attention, there is little evidence showing the...

Purpose – This research aims to extend the “collaborative paradigm” proposed by others in prior research beyond a supply chain's core operations. To date, this paradigm has generated relatively little empirical research on peripheral, non‐core areas such the natural environment....

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between supplier capabilities, supply chain collaboration and buyer responsiveness. Design/methodology/approach – The sample is drawn from UK manufacturing firms across eight industry sectors. Data are analysed using a...