Strategy alignment in purchasing and supply management: a systematic literature review and research framework on the performance impact

This paper studies the performance impact of multi-dimensional strategy alignment in purchasing and supply management (PSM) in a literature review (LR)-based analysis. In a first step, it evaluates the scientific state-of-the-art in a systematic LR by classifying, analysing and synthesising 29 empirical studies with reference to a conceptual framework and based on the methodologies used in the sampled papers. The results of the review indicate that coordinating purchasing strategies with: 1) goals and strategies at the corporate level; 2) other functional strategies; 3) the supplier base (and the corresponding contextual requirements) has a significant positive effect on performance. Building on the conceptual framework, we highlight managerial insights and develop a research agenda by identifying research gaps and pointing out methodological shortcomings of the sampled papers in a second step. Finally, we operationalise an integrated strategy alignment index and develop hypotheses that support future empirical research on holistic strategy alignment in PSM.