SPECIAL ISSUE EDITORIAL literature reviews driving the field of purchasing and supply chain management forward

While literature reviews are now well established in purchasing and supply chain management, there is ongoing debate about how they contribute to theory, which is the core aim of this special issue. In this editorial, building on the methods and content of the articles included in the special issue, we reflect on this along two dimensions: (1) the theoretical stance taken shows that different tools can be applied in systematic literature reviews. This is particularly true in data analysis, which can be positioned along an inductive-to-deductive dimension. We reflect on how the papers in this special issue apply different logics of theory development, modification, refinement or extension. Almost obviously, there is no one best way to organize related arguments. (2) Turning to a content-based approach, the accepted papers are linked to the wider field that is in scope for the Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management. Here, four related clusters are present: (1) Individual Learning, Knowledge, and Behavior, (2) Power and Dependence, (3) Corporate Sustainability and Supply Chain Due Diligence, (4) Information and Signaling Mechanisms. The contributions include reflections on both established and emerging topics in the field, which serve as a foundation for reflections on missing topics and suggestions for future research directions.