Reducing Behavioral Constraints to Supplier Integration: A Socio-Technical Systems Perspective

Thomas Kull, Scott C. Ellis, Ram Narasimhan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

68 Scopus citations

Abstract

Despite the benefits of supplier integration (SI), research suggests such collaborative initiatives are inhibited by behavioral constraints. While studies tend to advance technical reasons that hinder SI, we draw from socio-technical system (STS) theory to suggest that the interaction among social, technical, and environmental features can give rise to behaviors that constrain SI. We conceptualize buying and supplying firms as two distinct social-technical systems and SI as a merging of technical systems across firms. We posit that behavioral constraints, which limit the realization of SI goals, arise when technical integration commences without appropriate a priori consideration for the social or environmental implications of technical changes. Our conceptual development not only proposes specific social processes that increase the likelihood of behavioral constraints during SI, but also suggests technical approaches to prevent them. Further, we identify salient environmental contingencies affecting the emergence of behavioral constraints. By extending STS theory to the interorganizational context, we contribute to SI research by offering a holistic view of SI and proposing ways managers can address the challenges that exist.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)64-86
Number of pages23
JournalJournal of Supply Chain Management
Volume49
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2013

Keywords

  • Behavioral supply management
  • Conceptual theory building
  • Human judgment and decision making
  • Supplier management
  • Technology management

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Management Information Systems
  • Economics, Econometrics and Finance (miscellaneous)
  • Marketing

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