Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyse the concept of supply chain collaboration and to provide an overall framework that can be used as a conceptual landmark for further empirical research. In addition, the concept is explored in the context of agri---food industry and particularities are identified. Finally, the paper submits empirical evidence from an exploratory case study in the agri---food industry, at the grower---processor interface, and information regarding the way the concept is actually applied in small medium---sized enterprises (SMEs) is presented.Design/methodology/approach: The paper employed case study research by conducting in---depth interviews in the two companies.Findings: Supply chain collaboration concept is of significant importance for the agri---food industry, however, some constraints arise due to the nature of industry's products, and the specific structure of the sector. Subsequently, collaboration in the supply chain is often limited to operational issues and to logistics---related activities. Research limitations/implications:Research is limited to a single case study and further qualitative testing of the conceptual model is needed in order to adjust the model before large scale testing. Practical implications:Case study findings may be transferable to other similar dual relationships at the grower---processor interface. Weaker parts in asymmetric relationships have opportunities to improve their position, altering the dependence balance, by achieving product/process excellence.Originality/value: The paper provides evidence regarding the applicability of the supply chain collaboration concept in the agri---food industry. It takes into consideration not relationships between big multinational companies, but SMEs.Citation: A. Matopoulos, M. Vlachopoulou, V. Manthou, B. Manos, (2007) "A conceptual framework for supply chain collaboration: empirical evidence from the agri---food industry", Supply

Different procurement decisions taken by relief organizations can result in considerably differentimplications in regards to transport, storage, and distribution of humanitarian aid and ultimately can influence the performance of the humanitarian supply chain and the delivery of the humanitarian aid.In this paper we look into what resources are needed and how these resources evolve in the delivery of humanitarian aid. Drawing on the resource-based view of the firm we develop a framework to categorize the impact of local resources on the configuration of humanitarian supply chains. In contrast to other papers, the importance of localizing the configuration of the humanitarian supply chain is not only conceptually recognized, but empirical investigations are also provided. In terms of methodology, this paper is based on the analysis of secondary data from two housing reconstruction projects. Findings indicate that the use of local resources in humanitarian aid has positive effects on programs' overall supply chain performance and these effects are not only related to the macroeconomic perspective, but benefits expand to improvements related to the use of knowledge. At the same time it was found that local sourcing often comes with a number of problems. For example, in one of the cases significant problems existed, which were related to the scarcity of local supplies. Both housing reconstruction projects have indicated the continuous need for changes throughout the programs as a dynamic supply chain configuration is important for the long-term sustainability of reconstruction aid.

The role of beneficiaries in the humanitarian supply chain is highlighted in the imperative to meet their needs but disputed in terms of their actual decision-making and purchasing power. This article discusses the use of a beneficiary-focused, communitybased approach in the case of a post-crisis housing reconstruction programme. In the community-based approach, beneficiaries become active members of the humanitarian supply chain. Implications of this community-based approach are discussed in the light of supply chain design and aid effectiveness.

Purpose -The primary objective of this research is to explore the implications of natural resource scarcity for companies' supply chain strategies. Design/methodology/approach -Drawing on resource dependence theory, a conceptual model is developed and validated through the means of exploratory research. The empirical work includes the assessment of qualitative data collected via 22 interviews representing 6 large multinational companies from the manufacturing sector. Findings -When the resources are scarce and vitally important, companies use buffering strategies. Buffering and bridging strategies are preferred when there are a few alternative suppliers for the specific resource and when there is limited access to scarce natural resources.Research limitations/implications -The research focuses on large multinational manufacturing companies so results may not be generalised to other sectors and to small and medium-sized firms. Future research needs to examine the implications of natural resource scarcity for organisational performance. Practical implications -This research provides direction to manufacturing companies for adopting the best supply chain strategy to cope with natural resource scarcity. Originality/value -This paper adds to the body of knowledge by providing new data and empirical insights into the issue of natural resource scarcity in supply chains. The resource dependence theory has not been previously employed in this context. Past studies are mainly conceptual and, thus, the value of this paper comes from using a qualitative approach on gaining in-depth insights into supply chain-related natural resource scarcity strategies and its antecedents.

PurposeTo study how supply chain decision makers gather, process and use the available internal and external information when facing supply chain disruptions.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews relevant supply chain literature to build an information management model for disruption management. Afterwards, three case studies in the vehicle assembly sector, namely cars, trucks and aircraft wings, bring the empirical insights to the information management model.FindingsThis research characterises the phases of disruption management and identifies the information companies use to recover from a variety of disruptive events. It presents an information management model to enhance supply chain visibility and support disruption management at the operational level. Moreover, it arrives at two design propositions to help companies in the redesign of their disruption discovery and recovery processes.Originality/valueThis research studies how companies manage operational disruptions. The proposed information management model allows to provide visibility to support the disruption management process. Also, based on the analysis of the disruptions occurring at the operational level we propose a conceptual model to support decision makers in the recovery from daily disruptive events.