Keywords

supply chain management, information management, communication technologies, quality improvement

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand how information technology (IT) is used to enhance supply chain performance.

Design/methodology/approach – A large-scale survey and semi-structured interviews were used to collect industry data.

Findings – Two distinct dimensions to information sharing – connectivity and willingness – are identified and analyzed. Both dimensions are found to impact operational performance and to be critical to the development of a real information sharing capability. However, many companies are found to have placed most of their emphasis on connectivity, often overlooking the willingness construct. As a result, information sharing seldom delivers on its promise to enable the creation of the cohesive supply chain team.

Research limitations – Despite the extensive data collection, the research represents a snapshot of practice. Replication from a longitudinal perspective would help define how IT is evolving to enable supply chain management.

Practical implications – A roadmap is presented to help guide IT development and investment decisions.

Originality/value – The research presents a two-by-two matrix to help managers and academics understand the related nature of connectivity and willingness. A roadmap is presented to help guide IT development and investment decisions.

Original Publication Citation

Information Sharing and Supply Chain Performance: The Role of Connectivity and Willingness, with Stan Fawcett, Paul Osterhaus, Greg Magnan, and Matt McCarter, Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, Vol. 12, No. 5, 2007, 358-368.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2007

Publisher

Supply Chain Management: An International Journal

Language

English

College

Marriott School of Business

Department

Finance

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

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