The complexity in supply networks is increasing and influences the competitive position of the focal company. Traditional approaches like supply chain mapping only show the focal company's relationships with suppliers and customers along the vertical supply chain, but are not capable to map any horizontal buyer-supplier relationships with other companies. Hence, this paper introduces a new supply network map structure model that extends the multi-tier view towards suppliers and customers along the vertical supply chain also to the complementors and competitors across the horizontal supply chain. Thus, the model enables the development of the existing supply chain mapping theory further into a holistic supply network mapping method. The model has been conceptualised with the help of 13 semi-structured interviews and is based on relevant models from the strategic management and the purchasing and supply management (PSM) literature. According to design science, it has been refined in several iterations.

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Tobias and my two paranymphs Frederik and Vincent from Twente-as well as Holger, Andreas, Eika, Patrick, Colin, Constantina, Sebastian, Micha and Catja from Münster. While climbing different stages and enjoying good times together, I am glad that some of you became close friends of mine. Looking forward, several of you already completed their academic journey, while others are still on different heights of their mountains. Good luck to all of you in completing your projects-just keep climbing, I am sure you will make it! Special thanks go to my family-above all my mother Edith and my brother Benedikt. Thank you very much for your patience, understanding and unconditional support in the last years. You helped me keeping my motivation and recharging my batteries when energy was low. I could always count on you. This thesis is dedicated to you. Last but not least, I am very grateful to have my longtime friends Marina, Daniela, Laura, Anne and Vanessa from my hometown Wiedenbrück; the "Stuttgart Crew" Jule, Johanna, Martina, Kathrin, Eva, Bene and Konrad; and my dear friends Tatiana and Josiane in Münster. On my journey towards the top of the mountain, you always kept celebrating small stage victories with me and encouraging me when muscles were aching. All of you have been part of this exciting hike and joined me climbing it to the summit cross. Thanks a lot. Without you, this project would have been impossible.

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