IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/proeco/v182y2016icp276-292.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A systematic review of supply chain knowledge management research: State of the art and research opportunities

Author

Listed:
  • Cerchione, Roberto
  • Esposito, Emilio

Abstract

The literature concerning the evolution of the supply chain (SC) has highlighted that supply systems have undergone massive changes. The SC is a multi-objective system (economic, productive, strategic, environmental, social, etc.) crossed by a variety of flows (financial, material, information, technology, etc.). In such a complex system, the management of the processes of adoption, creation, storage, transfer, sharing and application of knowledge appears to be the necessary response to the new challenges posed to the SC by globalization and sustainability issues. This paper provides a systematic review of knowledge management (KM) in SCs in order to identify the state of the art in the literature, highlight research gaps, and define appropriate research questions to be addressed. To this end, eighty-two papers were selected and studied in detail. The paper shows that although there are a growing number of papers addressing KM in SC, many research issues are still neglected. In particular, the paper highlights eight main gaps in the SC literature. The first three gaps concern the factors affecting the adoption, creation, storage, transfer, sharing, and application of KM practices. The next three gaps address the systems to support knowledge management. The seventh gap considers the barriers to the adoption of KM practices. The eighth gap looks at the impact of adoption of KM practices on performance. Starting from these eight gaps, nine research questions have been formulated. These research questions represent possible areas of investigation to improve the body of knowledge in the field of KM in SC.

Suggested Citation

  • Cerchione, Roberto & Esposito, Emilio, 2016. "A systematic review of supply chain knowledge management research: State of the art and research opportunities," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 182(C), pages 276-292.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:proeco:v:182:y:2016:i:c:p:276-292
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpe.2016.09.006
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925527316302365
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.ijpe.2016.09.006?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. C. Lakshman & Ronaldo C. Parente, 2008. "Supplier‐Focused Knowledge Management in the Automobile Industry and Its Implications for Product Performance," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(2), pages 317-342, March.
    2. BLOME, Constantin & SCHOENHERR, Tobias & ECKSTEIN, Dominik, 2014. "The impact of knowledge transfer and complexity on supply chain flexibility: a knowledge-based view," LIDAM Reprints CORE 2603, Université catholique de Louvain, Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE).
    3. Schrettle, Stefan & Hinz, Andreas & Scherrer -Rathje, Maike & Friedli, Thomas, 2014. "Turning sustainability into action: Explaining firms' sustainability efforts and their impact on firm performance," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 147(PA), pages 73-84.
    4. Williamson, Oliver E, 1979. "Transaction-Cost Economics: The Governance of Contractural Relations," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 22(2), pages 233-261, October.
    5. Sachin K. Patil & Ravi Kant, 2014. "Predicting the success of knowledge management adoption in supply chain using fuzzy DEMATEL and FMCDM approach," International Journal of Business Performance and Supply Chain Modelling, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 6(1), pages 75-93.
    6. Hyojin Kim & Daesik Hur & Tobias Schoenherr, 2015. "When Buyer-Driven Knowledge Transfer Activities Really Work: A Motivation–Opportunity–Ability Perspective," Journal of Supply Chain Management, Institute for Supply Management, vol. 51(3), pages 33-60, July.
    7. Kinder, Tony, 2003. "Go with the flow--a conceptual framework for supply relations in the era of the extended enterprise," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 32(3), pages 503-523, March.
    8. Arvind Malhotra & Sanjay Gosain & Omar A. El Sawy, 2007. "Leveraging Standard Electronic Business Interfaces to Enable Adaptive Supply Chain Partnerships," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 18(3), pages 260-279, September.
    9. Cheng, Jao-Hong, 2011. "Inter-organizational relationships and knowledge sharing in green supply chains—Moderating by relational benefits and guanxi," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 47(6), pages 837-849.
    10. K. Evrard Samuel & M. Goury & A. Gunasekaran & A. Spalanzani, 2011. "Knowledge Management in Supply Chain: An Empirical Study from France," Post-Print halshs-00642507, HAL.
    11. Bidault, Francis & Despres, Charles & Butler, Christina, 1998. "The drivers of cooperation between buyers and suppliers for product innovation," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 26(7-8), pages 719-732, April.
    12. Zaheer Khan & Oded Shenkar & Yong Kyu Lew, 2015. "Knowledge transfer from international joint ventures to local suppliers in a developing economy," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 46(6), pages 656-675, August.
    13. K-T Mak & A Ramaprasad, 2003. "Knowledge supply network," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 54(2), pages 175-183, February.
    14. Pedro M. Reyes & William J. Worthington & Jamie D. Collins, 2015. "Knowledge management enterprise and RFID systems," Management Research Review, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 38(1), pages 44-66, January.
    15. Blois, K J, 1972. "Vertical Quasi-Integration," Journal of Industrial Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 20(3), pages 253-272, July.
    16. Michael Johnson, 2010. "Industrial e-market adoption: an exploratory study of organisational change issues," International Journal of Business Innovation and Research, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 4(6), pages 535-559.
    17. Robert B. Handfield & Paul D. Cousins & Benn Lawson & Kenneth J. Petersen, 2015. "How Can Supply Management Really Improve Performance? A Knowledge-Based Model of Alignment Capabilities," Journal of Supply Chain Management, Institute for Supply Management, vol. 51(3), pages 3-17, July.
    18. Yadong Luo & Yi Liu & Jiaqi Xue, 2009. "Relationship Investment and Channel Performance: An Analysis of Mediating Forces," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 46(7), pages 1113-1137, November.
    19. Imrie, R & Morris, J, 1992. "A review of recent changes in buyer-supplier relations," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 20(5-6), pages 641-652.
    20. Tseng, Shu-Mei, 2014. "The impact of knowledge management capabilities and supplier relationship management on corporate performance," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 39-47.
    21. Pedroso, Marcelo Caldeira & Nakano, Davi, 2009. "Knowledge and information flows in supply chains: A study on pharmaceutical companies," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 122(1), pages 376-384, November.
    22. Pickernell, David, 1997. "Less pain but what gain?: a comparison of the effectiveness and effects of Japanese and non-Japanese car assemblers' buyer-supplier relations in the UK automotive industry," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 25(4), pages 377-395, August.
    23. Klein, Benjamin & Crawford, Robert G & Alchian, Armen A, 1978. "Vertical Integration, Appropriable Rents, and the Competitive Contracting Process," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 21(2), pages 297-326, October.
    24. Asanuma, Banri, 1989. "Manufacturer-supplier relationships in Japan and the concept of relation-specific skill," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 3(1), pages 1-30, March.
    25. Bernstein, Fernando & Gürhan Kök, A. & Meca, Ana, 2015. "Cooperation in assembly systems: The role of knowledge sharing networks," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 240(1), pages 160-171.
    26. Yang, Jie & Wong, Christina W.Y. & Lai, Kee-hung & Ntoko, Alfred Ngome, 2009. "The antecedents of dyadic quality performance and its effect on buyer-supplier relationship improvement," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 120(1), pages 243-251, July.
    27. Esposito, Emilio & Evangelista, Pietro, 2014. "Investigating virtual enterprise models: literature review and empirical findings," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 145-157.
    28. Sachin K. Patil & Ravi Kant, 2014. "Ranking the barriers of knowledge management adoption in supply chain using fuzzy AHP method," International Journal of Business Innovation and Research, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 8(1), pages 52-75.
    29. Hazen, Benjamin T. & Boone, Christopher A. & Ezell, Jeremy D. & Jones-Farmer, L. Allison, 2014. "Data quality for data science, predictive analytics, and big data in supply chain management: An introduction to the problem and suggestions for research and applications," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 72-80.
    30. Bernard Chaillou, 1977. "Définition et typologie de la sous-traitance," Revue Économique, Programme National Persée, vol. 28(2), pages 262-285.
    31. Paton, Robert A. & McLaughlin, Stephen, 2008. "Services innovation:: Knowledge transfer and the supply chain," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 26(2), pages 77-83, April.
    32. Vachon, Stephan & Klassen, Robert D., 2008. "Environmental management and manufacturing performance: The role of collaboration in the supply chain," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 111(2), pages 299-315, February.
    33. Lu, Qing & Meng, Fanwen & Goh, Mark, 2014. "Choice of supply chain governance: Self-managing or outsourcing?," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 32-38.
    34. Zhang, Ding, 2006. "A network economic model for supply chain versus supply chain competition," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 34(3), pages 283-295, June.
    35. Blome, Constantin & Schoenherr, Tobias & Eckstein, Dominik, 2014. "The impact of knowledge transfer and complexity on supply chain flexibility: A knowledge-based view," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 147(PB), pages 307-316.
    36. Qinghua Zhu & Yong Geng & Kee‐hung Lai, 2011. "Environmental Supply Chain Cooperation and Its Effect on the Circular Economy Practice‐Performance Relationship Among Chinese Manufacturers," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 15(3), pages 405-419, June.
    37. He, Qile & Ghobadian, Abby & Gallear, David, 2013. "Knowledge acquisition in supply chain partnerships: The role of power," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 141(2), pages 605-618.
    38. De Toni, A & Nassimbeni, G., 1995. "Supply networks: Genesis, stability and logistics implications. A comparative analysis of two districts," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 23(4), pages 403-418, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Piera Centobelli & Roberto Cerchione & Emilio Esposito, 2018. "Environmental Sustainability and Energy-Efficient Supply Chain Management: A Review of Research Trends and Proposed Guidelines," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-36, January.
    2. Sebastian Ion Ceptureanu & Eduard Gabriel Ceptureanu & Marieta Olaru & Doina I. Popescu, 2018. "An Exploratory Study on Knowledge Management Process Barriers in the Oil Industry," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-15, July.
    3. Alireza Arab & Iman Ghasemian Sahebi & Seyyed Abbas Alavi, 2017. "Assessing the Key Success Factors of Knowledge Management Adoption in Supply Chain," International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, Human Resource Management Academic Research Society, International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, vol. 7(4), pages 401-418, April.
    4. Oliver Gürtler, 2010. "Haggling for Rents, Relational Contracts, and the Theory of the Firm," Schmalenbach Business Review (sbr), LMU Munich School of Management, vol. 62(4), pages 359-377, October.
    5. Morgan, Tyler R. & Roath, Anthony S. & Glenn Richey, Robert, 2023. "How risk, transparency, and knowledge influence the adaptability and flexibility dimensions of the responsiveness view," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    6. Tseng, Shu-Mei, 2014. "The impact of knowledge management capabilities and supplier relationship management on corporate performance," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 39-47.
    7. Demeter, Krisztina & Szász, Levente & Rácz, Béla-Gergely, 2016. "The impact of subsidiaries’ internal and external integration on operational performance," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 182(C), pages 73-85.
    8. Ting Kong & Taiwen Feng & Yufei Huang & Junya Cai, 2020. "How to convert green supply chain integration efforts into green innovation: A perspective of knowledge‐based view," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(5), pages 1106-1121, September.
    9. Schoenherr, Tobias & Wagner, Stephan M., 2016. "Supplier involvement in the fuzzy front end of new product development: An investigation of homophily, benevolence and market turbulence," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 101-113.
    10. Samir Hammami & Omar Durrah & Syed Ahsan Jamil & Mohammedosman Eltigani, 2022. "Engaging Knowledge Capabilities to Sustain the Application of Information Technology Governance in Healthcare Institutions," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(4), pages 21582440221, October.
    11. Kumar Mangla, Sachin & Börühan, Gülmüş & Ersoy, Pervin & Kazancoglu, Yigit & Song, Malin, 2021. "Impact of information hiding on circular food supply chains in business-to-business context," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 1-18.
    12. Rubén Michael Rodríguez‐González & Gonzalo Maldonado‐Guzman & Antonia Madrid‐Guijarro, 2022. "The effect of green strategies and eco‐innovation on Mexican automotive industry sustainable and financial performance: Sustainable supply chains as a mediating variable," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(4), pages 779-794, July.
    13. Ahokangas, Petri & Haapanen, Lauri & Golgeci, Ismail & Arslan, Ahmad & Khan, Zaheer & Kontkanen, Minnie, 2022. "Knowledge sharing dynamics in international subcontracting arrangements: The case of Finnish high-tech SMEs," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 28(1).
    14. Manuel Gonzalez-Diaz & Marta Fernandez Barcala & Benito Arrunada, 2003. "Quality assurance mechanisms in agrifood: the case of the Spanish fresh meat sector," International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 2(3/4), pages 361-382.
    15. Sharon Novak & Steven D. Eppinger, 2001. "Sourcing By Design: Product Complexity and the Supply Chain," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 47(1), pages 189-204, January.
    16. Azadegan, Arash & Srinivasan, Ravi & Blome, Constantin & Tajeddini, Kayhan, 2019. "Learning from near-miss events: An organizational learning perspective on supply chain disruption response," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 216(C), pages 215-226.
    17. Greaney, Theresa M., 2000. "Righting past wrongs: can import promotion policies counter hysteresis from past trade protection in the presence of switching costs?," Japan and the World Economy, Elsevier, vol. 12(3), pages 211-227, September.
    18. López-Bayón, Susana & González-Díaz, Manuel, 2010. "Indefinite contract duration: Evidence from electronics subcontracting," International Review of Law and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 30(2), pages 145-159, June.
    19. El-Khalil, Raed & Mezher, Mohamad Ali, 2020. "The mediating impact of sustainability on the relationship between agility and operational performance," Operations Research Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 7(C).
    20. Marcus A. Bellamy & Rahul C. Basole, 2013. "Network analysis of supply chain systems: A systematic review and future research," Systems Engineering, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(2), pages 235-249, June.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:proeco:v:182:y:2016:i:c:p:276-292. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/ijpe .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.