Operations and supply chain management: The role of academics and practitioners in the development of research and practice

Abstract

Purpose

Based on the combined experiences of operations and supply chain management (O&SCM) scholars and a reflective practitioner, the paper compares, contrasts and reconciles the competences needed to research O&SCM practice and to practice O&SCM research. The purpose of this paper is to locate these competences for young faculty in relation to their ambitions and career choices.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based upon the contributions made at European Operations Management Association 2014 Young Scholars Workshop (YSW). The theme and programme of the workshop was “Operations management – research and practice”.

Findings

The paper outlines first the concept of the YSW, the evolution of themes and the specific focus of the 2014 workshop. It concludes with a reflection on the career development of O&SCM scholars, their potential role, as academics or practitioners, in the development of O&SCM theory and practice, and the role of collaborative research in that development.

Practical implications

This paper shows what it takes for O&SCM researchers to engage with “the world around us” involves and, vice versa, how “doctorate” OM and SCM practitioners may successfully solve practical problems and engage with the O&SCM world surrounding them in doing so.

Originality/value

The paper presents a collection of viewpoints of O&SCM scholars and a reflective practitioner on the competences needed to research OM practice and to practice OM research.

Citation

Coughlan, P., Draaijer, D., Godsell, J. and Boer, H. (2016), "Operations and supply chain management: The role of academics and practitioners in the development of research and practice", International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Vol. 36 No. 12, pp. 1673-1695. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOPM-11-2015-0721