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 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 – 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...

This paper extends previous literature on the greening of supply chains by giving explicit consideration to two main areas – the role of risk, and the motives for undertaking different sorts of environment‐related supplier initiatives. A model is presented which describes the extent and type...

Purpose – In the last decade there have been dramatic impacts on, and changes within, the field of purchasing/supply management. Given supply management's new strategic role, this research seeks to examine the key skills and knowledge necessary for firms to improve in order to maximize the...

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 – 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 role of supply managers in driving corporate performance is changing, with an increased emphasis on supply market intelligence, collaboration, inter‐organizational partnerships, and operational integration with supply partners. These traits are also mirrored in the research on...