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International Business Research
Vol. 4, No. 1; January 2011
A Theory of the Competing Supply Chain: Alternatives for Development
Imoh Antai Department of Supply Chain Management & Corporate Geography Hanken School of Economics Arkadiankatu 22, 00101, Helsinki, Finland Tel: 358-(0)40-352-1283
Abstract
E-mail: antai@hanken.fi
Development of a coherent methodology for supply chain vs. supply chain competition remains elusive in literature in terms of purpose, approaches and theoretical foundations. The purpose of this paper is to identify suitable theories of competition from which supply chain vs. supply chain competition may be further developed. Paper explores literature on competition theories, competition and its correlates and also considers the dichotomy between competitiveness and competition in relation to achievement of a competitive advantage in supply chains. An argument is made for the identification and development of theory that reflects the multidimensional, process-based and emergent properties of supply chains. Three competition theories from which supply chain vs. supply chain competition may begin to be conceptualized and possibly operationalized are identified. A chronological conceptualization of competition, competitiveness and competitive advantage, which is intuitive to the realization of competitive advantage in inter-supply chain competition, is also proposed.
Keywords: Competition, Competitiveness, Competitive advantage, Competition theory, Dimensionality, Niche theory 1. Introduction A supply chain is the network of organizations involved, through upstream and downstream linkages, in the different processes and activities that produce value in the form of goods and services for end-customers (Christopher, 1992). Most definitions of supply chain management succinctly divide the discipline into several parts. And the multi-disciplinary, multi-dimensional nature of supply chains and its management imply
International Business Research
Vol. 4, No. 1; January 2011
A Theory of the Competing Supply Chain: Alternatives for Development
Imoh Antai Department of Supply Chain Management & Corporate Geography Hanken School of Economics Arkadiankatu 22, 00101, Helsinki, Finland Tel: 358-(0)40-352-1283
Abstract
E-mail: antai@hanken.fi
Development of a coherent methodology for supply chain vs. supply chain competition remains elusive in literature in terms of purpose, approaches and theoretical foundations. The purpose of this paper is to identify suitable theories of competition from which supply chain vs. supply chain competition may be further developed. Paper explores literature on competition theories, competition and its correlates and also considers the dichotomy between competitiveness and competition in relation to achievement of a competitive advantage in supply chains. An argument is made for the identification and development of theory that reflects the multidimensional, process-based and emergent properties of supply chains. Three competition theories from which supply chain vs. supply chain competition may begin to be conceptualized and possibly operationalized are identified. A chronological conceptualization of competition, competitiveness and competitive advantage, which is intuitive to the realization of competitive advantage in inter-supply chain competition, is also proposed.
Keywords: Competition, Competitiveness, Competitive advantage, Competition theory, Dimensionality, Niche theory 1. Introduction A supply chain is the network of organizations involved, through upstream and downstream linkages, in the different processes and activities that produce value in the form of goods and services for end-customers (Christopher, 1992). Most definitions of supply chain management succinctly divide the discipline into several parts. And the multi-disciplinary, multi-dimensional nature of supply chains and its management imply