Supply Chain Integration in Practice

In a global marketplace supply chain integration is recognised to be one of today¿s competitive advantages. This exploratory research utilised a stepwise methodology to investigate pathways to supply chain integration. First, value streams where audited applying Quick Scan Methodology. Next, internal and external barriers to supply chain integration were investigated. Finally, longitudinal case studies were used to investigate ways of supply chain integration. In total, some 240 person days were spent in the field to investigate supply chain integration in practise. The research revealed that supply chain integration practise rarely resembles the theoretical ideal. Further, every case company was found to face significant managerial, socio-cultural barriers to supply chain integration. Good top management support and favourable external dependencies offer the best setting for enhancing supply chain integration in practise. If those are not present companies seem to choose the path of least resistance. Finally, this study yielded some early insights that the speed of supply chain integration development in practise follows a learning curve trajectory.