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Supply management: is it a discipline?

C.M. Harland (School of Management, Centre for Research in Strategic Purchasing and Supply, University of Bath, Bath, UK)
R.C. Lamming (School of Management, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK)
H. Walker (School of Management, Centre for Research in Strategic Purchasing and Supply, University of Bath, Bath, UK)
W.E. Phillips (School of Management, Centre for Research in Strategic Purchasing and Supply, University of Bath, Bath, UK)
N.D. Caldwell (School of Management, Centre for Research in Strategic Purchasing and Supply, University of Bath, Bath, UK)
T.E. Johnsen (School of Management, Centre for Research in Strategic Purchasing and Supply, University of Bath, Bath, UK)
L.A. Knight (School of Management, Centre for Research in Strategic Purchasing and Supply, University of Bath, Bath, UK)
J. Zheng (School of Management, Centre for Research in Strategic Purchasing and Supply, University of Bath, Bath, UK)

International Journal of Operations & Production Management

ISSN: 0144-3577

Article publication date: 1 July 2006

5341

Abstract

Purpose

To examine management literature for guidance on what constitutes a discipline. To examine supply management publications to determine whether the field constitutes a discipline or an emerging discipline. To contribute a structured evaluation to the body of supply management theory/discipline development knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature review of what constitutes a discipline and an initial assessment of whether supply management is a discipline. Development of research questions used to design tests, using combinations of qualitative pattern matching, journal quality rankings, and social science citations index impact factor. Application of the tests, to evaluate field coherence, quality and the existence of a discipline‐debate, to determine whether supply management is an emerging discipline.

Findings

An initial literature review finds supply management not to be a discipline, as the field lacks quality of theoretical development and discussion, and coherence. Tests for increasing evidence of coherence, quality and impact yield positive results, indicating that supply management is progressing in its theoretical development. The test findings combined with the existence of the start of a discipline‐debate indicate that supply management should be judged to be an emerging discipline.

Originality/value

Drawing from the management literature, the paper provides a unique structured evaluation of the field of supply management, finding it not to be a discipline, but showing evidence of being an emerging discipline.

Keywords

Citation

Harland, C.M., Lamming, R.C., Walker, H., Phillips, W.E., Caldwell, N.D., Johnsen, T.E., Knight, L.A. and Zheng, J. (2006), "Supply management: is it a discipline?", International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Vol. 26 No. 7, pp. 730-753. https://doi.org/10.1108/01443570610672211

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2006, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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