A complex adaptive systems governance framework for regional supply networks

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to propose an empirically grounded governance framework based on complex adaptive systems (CAS) principles to facilitate formation of well-connected regional supply chains that foster economic development, adaptability and resilience of mining regions. Design/methodology/approach This study is an exploratory case study of the South Australian (SA) mining industry that includes 38 semi-structured interviews with the key stakeholders and structural analysis of the regional supply network (RSN). Findings Findings demonstrate the applicability of the CAS framework as a structured approach to the governance of the mining industry regional supply chains. In particular, the findings exemplify the relationship between RSN governance, its structure and interconnectivity and their combined impact on the adaptability and resilience of mining regions. Research limitations/implications The data set analysed in the current study is static. Longitudinal data would permit a deeper insight into the evolution of the RSN structure and connectivity. The validity of the proposed framework could be further strengthened by being applied to other industrial domains and geographical contexts. Practical/implications The proposed framework offers a novel insight for regional policy-makers striving to create an environment that facilitates the formation of well-integrated regional supply chains in mining regions through more focussed policy and strategies. Originality/value The proposed framework is one of the first attempts to offer a holistic structured approach to governance of the regional supply chains based on CAS principles. With the current transformative changes in the global mining industry, policy-makers and supply chain practitioners have an urgent need to embrace CAS and network paradigms to remain competitive in the twenty-first century.

The role of collaborative interorganizational relationships in supply chain risks: a systematic review using a social capital perspective

“…Acting as an information transmission platform influencing the range of information accessibility in the network (Nahapiet and Ghoshal, 1998), network-level configuration enables information circulation between organizations. It is connected in the sample to the ideas of supply-base complexity with supplier differentiation, number of suppliers, and supplier interaction levels (Choi and Krause, 2006), and overall network structure or scale-free network configuration (Statsenko et al, 2018).…”

“…A specific network configuration, embedding CIRs, can contain supply and environmental risks more efficiently. This configuration is scale-free supply networks, defined by a relatively small number of highly connected hubs and a large number of nodes with few connections (Statsenko et al, 2018).…”

Strategies for complex supply networks: findings from the offshore wind power industry

“…Hearnshaw and Wilson, 2013;Pathak et al, 2007). Recent studies have attempted to use CAS to analyse specific types of SNs, such as regionals SNs (Statsenko et al, 2018) and sustainable SNs in the food industry (Touboulic et al, 2018). Pathak et al (2007) distinguish between complexity and complicatedness, identifying that where complicated systems may be intricate, complex systems involve nonlinear dynamic interactions amongst individual parts.…”

A Novel Taxonomy for Risks in Agribusiness Supply Chains: A Systematic Literature Review

“…Network risks indicate network-related risk factors, including collaboration-related risks such as information flow and coordinating supply and demand [36,49,56,68,116]. These authors also explain that information flow includes the level of information accuracy, and information system security and disruption, while coordinating supply and demand includes lack of ability to support the operations, lack of trust, intellectual property and information outsourcing.…”

“…Besides, there is a need to perform further research focusing on long-term strategies, innovative policies, legal instruments and institutional arrangements [123]. For instance, future research may focus on network thinking, which can be instrumental in understanding adaptation constraints in a systematic way and can be used to inform interventions to improve network dynamics for the benefit of MSMEs' adaptive capacity [116,124]. In addition, investigations may focus on blockchain technology as a big opportunity in agricultural business and agrifood supply chains in the digital economy [125].…”