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Unlocking the power of diversity for supply chain knowledge: Is pluralism in theorizing styles the key?

Author

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  • Joep Cornelissen
  • Victoria Stephens
  • Lee Matthews

Abstract

The authors reflect on the opportunities for diversity in supply chain research by examining the prevalent modes of theorizing in the field. This examination focuses on identifying common styles of theorizing in supply chain management research, which are defined as specific modes of reasoning to make inferences about supply chain phenomena. Armed with this definition, the authors elaborate how research in the field has for the most part hinged on a propositional style as a common base for theorizing and theoretical contributions. The analysis that is provided emphasizes the limits of this style, particularly when it is considered as the preferred form for all theoretical contributions. The authors, in turn, make the case for a pluralistic system of knowledge production that supports the use of multiple theorizing styles that, when used alongside one another in a coordinated or co‐oriented manner, will lead to a better understanding of supply chain management phenomena.

Suggested Citation

  • Joep Cornelissen & Victoria Stephens & Lee Matthews, 2024. "Unlocking the power of diversity for supply chain knowledge: Is pluralism in theorizing styles the key?," Journal of Supply Chain Management, Institute for Supply Management, vol. 60(3), pages 3-17, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jscmgt:v:60:y:2024:i:3:p:3-17
    DOI: 10.1111/jscm.12328
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Joep P. Cornelissen, 2017. "Preserving Theoretical Divergence in Management Research: Why the Explanatory Potential of Qualitative Research Should Be Harnessed Rather than Suppressed," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 54(3), pages 368-383, May.
    2. Jury Gualandris & Oana Branzei & Miriam Wilhelm & Sergio Lazzarini & Martina Linnenluecke & Ralph Hamann & Kevin J. Dooley & Michael L. Barnett & Chien‐Ming Chen, 2024. "Unchaining supply chains: Transformative leaps toward regenerating social–ecological systems," Journal of Supply Chain Management, Institute for Supply Management, vol. 60(1), pages 53-67, January.
    3. Barbara Flynn & Mark Pagell & Brian Fugate, 2020. "From the Editors: Introduction to the Emerging Discourse Incubator on the Topic of Emerging Approaches for Developing Supply Chain Management Theory," Journal of Supply Chain Management, Institute for Supply Management, vol. 56(2), pages 3-6, April.
    4. Richard Makadok & Richard Burton & Jay Barney, 2018. "A practical guide for making theory contributions in strategic management," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(6), pages 1530-1545, June.
    5. Andreas Wieland, 2021. "Dancing the Supply Chain: Toward Transformative Supply Chain Management," Journal of Supply Chain Management, Institute for Supply Management, vol. 57(1), pages 58-73, January.
    6. Joep Cornelissen & Mariëtte Kaandorp, 2023. "Towards Stronger Causal Claims in Management Research: Causal Triangulation Instead of Causal Identification," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 60(4), pages 834-860, June.
    7. Andreas Wieland & Wendy L. Tate & Tingting Yan, 2024. "A guided tour through the qualitative research city," Journal of Supply Chain Management, Institute for Supply Management, vol. 60(1), pages 3-12, January.
    8. Lee Matthews & Damien Power & Anne Touboulic & Leonardo Marques, 2016. "Building Bridges: Toward Alternative Theory of Sustainable Supply Chain Management," Journal of Supply Chain Management, Institute for Supply Management, vol. 52(1), pages 82-94, January.
    9. Cynthia Hardy & Vikram Bhakoo & Steve Maguire, 2020. "A New Methodology for Supply Chain Management: Discourse Analysis and its Potential for Theoretical Advancement," Journal of Supply Chain Management, Institute for Supply Management, vol. 56(2), pages 19-35, April.
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