Supply chain followership: the case of Tetra Pak’s recyclers in China
The International Journal of Logistics Management
ISSN: 0957-4093
Article publication date: 12 January 2023
Issue publication date: 28 April 2023
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore an under-researched topic of supply chain followership (SCF) in the context of recycling chains.
Design/methodology/approach
Following a multiple case study approach, the authors conducted interviews with Tetra Pak senior managers and recyclers who recycle used beverage cartons (UBCs) in China.
Findings
Based on the dimensions of critical thinking and active engagement, the authors classify SCF into four types. Focal companies could evaluate their suppliers’ behaviours and followership types to initiate corresponding strategies to better manage their relationships. In addition, the authors found SCF to be a dynamic concept, which can be constantly evaluated.
Originality/value
This study is one of the earliest efforts to empirically explore the concept of SCF. The paper extends the followership concept from an individual level to an organizational level in the recycling chain context and presents a useful concept of followership for companies seeking to manage their supply chain relationships.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors thank the Guest Editor Dr. Abraham Zhang, and the reviewers for a constructive and developmental review process. Sepcial thanks to all the interviewees including Angela Mou, Rendy Ren, Terry Long, Jiayu Wan, Guanxiong Tian, Jun Yang, and Zhenqi Guo.
Citation
Gong, Y., Jia, F. and Brown, S. (2023), "Supply chain followership: the case of Tetra Pak’s recyclers in China", The International Journal of Logistics Management, Vol. 34 No. 3, pp. 699-719. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLM-03-2022-0144
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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