Achieving a competitive supply chain network for a manufacturer: A resource-based approach

Abstract

Purpose

Collaboration in supply chain networks (SCN) becomes extremely important for manufacturers seeking a sustainable competitive advantage. Such competitiveness depends on the SCN resources a manufacturing firm can allocate, the capabilities to identify and deploy these network resources effectively, and practices and applications the firm arranges for these resources. The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework that investigates the relationships between these network constructs and their influences on firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive literature review of supply chain management was conducted to explicate why some manufacturers outperform others. A resource-based view, dynamic capability theory, and extended resource-based view were employed to develop a conceptual model that investigates relationships between the resources, capabilities, and practices of a SCN. The relationships were then examined to analyze their influences on firm performance. Several cases and practical examples were included in the study to give a better understanding of the conceptual research model. Various keywords were used in searching literature for the constructs of the research model. For example, “knowledge” and “supply chain network” were used to search the literature regarding the SCN intangible resources.

Findings

This study uses a conceptual model to identify SCN resources that are dispersed in the internal territory among different network members, SCN capabilities that are developed based on these network resources and lead to the firm’s competitive performance, and SCN practices used to acquire network resources and build network capabilities.

Research limitations/implications

The conceptual model of SCN resources, capabilities, and practices needs further empirical validation.

Practical implications

The conceptual model provides a framework for managers to identify the critical resources, capabilities, and practices of a SCN that help a firm achieve sustainable competitive performance.

Originality/value

This research builds a comprehensive picture of relationships between a manufacturing firm’s strategic resources, capabilities, and practices in a SCN. It also provides a theoretical foundation for future research on developing instruments for resources, practices, and capabilities of a SCN and empirically testing the relationships among the appropriate constructs.

Citation

Jin, Y. and Edmunds, P. (2015), "Achieving a competitive supply chain network for a manufacturer: A resource-based approach", Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, Vol. 26 No. 5, pp. 744-762. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMTM-01-2013-0004