Social network analysis in operations and supply chain management: a review and revised research agenda

Abstract

PurposeSocial network analysis (SNA) seeks to manage the connections between entities through investigating and understanding behaviours and relationships. This study demonstrates the increasing relevance of social network approaches to solving contemporary and looming operations management (OM) and supply chain management (SCM) problems; including the coordination operations challenges raised by increased connectivity.Design/methodology/approachThe systematic literature review approach adopted here examines 63 papers in OM and SCM published between 2000 and 2019. To-date OM reviews on SNA have focussed on discussing archetypal supply chains, what differentiates this study is the focus on how value was created in other forms of chains and operations.FindingsThis study reveals that current SNA adoption in OM is dominated by a manufacturing style focus on linear, sequential value creation, with a resulting focus only on sequential interdependence. SNA studies on reciprocally co-ordinated value creation (e.g. many service and network operations) are shown to have been neglected and are linked to a new agenda on contemporary management issues.Research limitations/implicationsBeyond encouraging the use of SNA, this study seeks to re-orient SNA approaches towards how contemporary services and networks create value.Originality/valueThrough adopting a unique combination of approaches and frameworks, this study challenges extant work to offer a substantially revised agenda for SNA use in Operations and Supply Chain Management.

Doctoral dissertations in supply chain management: a review of Chinese contributions from 1995 to 2019

“…Methodological approach. Based on previous studies, we categorized the dissertations according to whether they used quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods (Han et al , 2020; Jiang et al , 2007; Burgess and Singh, 2006; Sachan and Datta, 2005; Carter and Ellram, 2003). Quantitative methods comprised (1) mathematical and econometric modeling and simulation, wherein models and simulations were used to solve complicated practical problems; (2) survey, wherein a questionnaire was administered to collect data and test the hypotheses; (3) secondary data, wherein secondary sources of data from industry, government, or the stock market were used; and (4) experimental, wherein independent variables were manipulated to collect data and test their effects on dependent variables while controlling the effects of extraneous variables.…”

“…Methodological approach. Based on previous studies, we categorized the dissertations according to whether they used quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods (Han et al, 2020 Sachan and Datta, 2005;Carter and Ellram, 2003).…”

Digitalization opportunities for the procurement function: pathways to maturity

“…Yet further specific investigation is warranted to specify these connections and their benefits, costs and risks. Similarly, Han et al (2020) recently pointed to Industry 4.0 and social network theory, as being related because of the connectivity that each refers to. This raises yet another relevant research question going forward of how the maturation of procurement activities from digitization towards digital integration can best make use of social networks.…”

Untangling the critical success factors for blockchain adoption in supply chain: a social network analysis

“…This approach has been applied to address diverse research questions in SC and technology management (e.g. Han et al, 2020;Maruccia et al, 2020). Furthermore, the combination of quantitative outcomes of a SNA and qualitative insights of a thematic analysis results in more comprehensive and robust findings, as demonstrated in the recent study of Ullah et al (2021).…”