Purpose -Without the adoption of a uniform agreed upon definition of supply chain management (SCM), researchers and practitioners will not be able to "advance the theory and practice" of the discipline. An integrated definition of SCM would greatly benefit researchers' efforts to study the phenomenon of SCM and those practitioners attempting to implement SCM. This paper aims to address these issues. Design/methodology/approach -Using the qualitative analysis software NVivo, this study examines 166 definitions of SCM that have appeared in the literature to determine important components of an integrated definition of SCM. Findings -Three broad themes of SCM are identified, including: activities; benefits; and constituents/components. An encompassing definition of SCM is developed from the qualitative analysis of these definitions. Research limitations/implications -While a large number of SCM definitions have been included in the research design, there may be additional definitions that are excluded given the very large number of SCM publications. Practical implications -A consensus definition of SCM will allow researchers to more precisely develop theory and practitioners to identify the scope and boundaries of SCM. Originality/value -This paper is the first attempt to include a large number of SCM definitions for the purpose of developing a consensus definition of the concept. Previous literature has included only a subset of published SCM definitions.
Since its introduction as a concept in the 1980s, supply chain management (SCM) has undergone significant modification and expansion. A qualitative analysis of 166 unique definitions of SCM published in the literature identified three major themes associated with the supply chain and SCM: (1) activities; (2) benefits; and (3) constituents/ components. Utilizing these themes, key research questions and issues within the supply chain and SCM are identified that could be examined by marketing scholars.
A meta-analytic review of self-directed learning (SDL) research over 30 years, five countries, and across multiple academic disciplines is used to explore its relationships with five key nomologically related constructs for effective workplace learning. The meta-analysis revealed positive relationships between SDL and internal locus of control, motivation, performance, selfefficacy, and support. The use of an actual SDL project in an undergraduate sales management course and an MBA selling and sales management course is used to provide supporting evidence and practical advice for educators seeking to use SDL to promote lifelong learning skills in students.
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