Showing papers by "Lars-Erik Gadde published in 2016"

Purchasing and supply management and the role of supplier interfaces

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an historical account of the evolution of the purchasing and supply management (PSM) field from the perspective of resource interfaces between buying firms and their suppliers. This historical account is then used as a platform to develop a framework for understanding of the capabilities required to manage a cluster of resource interfaces. Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses an historical survey of practices and ideas in the PSM field to develop a theoretical argument on capabilities to manage resource interfaces between buying firms and their suppliers. Findings – The paper proposes a framework linking learning, interactive capacity and interactive capability as they evolve through the interplay between resource interface type, organizing principle and technology strategy. Research limitations/implications – This paper contributes a conceptual framework focussing on the capabilities that underpin the management of individual resource interfaces. Practical implications – The paper offers the following practical implications: first, the firm needs to consider what type of interface applies in the relationships with its suppliers: second, the firm needs to consider its technological strategy in light of its current supplier interfaces and organizing principles: third, the internal as well as external organizing needs to be aligned with what the firm proposes to achieve from its supplier relationships and be congruent with the interfaces deployed to manage those relationships: fourth, interacting with suppliers is a matter of learning regarding the outcomes of the interaction as well developing interactive capacities and capabilities. Originality/value – The paper provides a first attempt to go beyond the characterization of individual resource interfaces in buyer-supplier relationships, to look at the capabilities required to manage multiple resource interfaces and the dynamics underpinning paths of development for those capabilities.

Food supply in a network context - an alternative framing and managerial consequences in efforts to prevent food waste

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a “network” framing of food supply arrangements. Such frameworks have been asked for in previous research as supplements to prevailing supply chain conceptualizations. Design/methodology/approach – The framework builds on industrial network theory. According to this approach, business reality is analyzed in three inter-related dimensions: the activities undertaken, the resources used for this undertaking, and the actors controlling resources and activities. For each dimension, relevant concepts are derived for analysis of the features of food supply and food waste. Findings – The network framing was useful for analyzing the prerequisites and consequences for two approaches to reduce food waste: one based on extension of shelf-life, the other relying on enhanced responsiveness in the supply arrangement. The framework was then used for suggesting managerial actions to reduce food waste through increasing activity coordination, resource combining, and actor i...

The rise and fall of channel management

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe and analyse the shifting perspectives on the organising and the managing of “distribution”, characterised as channels, systems or networks. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on a review of previous research, identifying three periods featuring diverse conceptualisations: the early distribution literature, the channel management perspective and today’s network approaches. Findings – The study shows that the early literature relied on holistic framings. This perspective was replaced by the narrower channel management view, influenced by concepts from two evolving approaches: marketing management and behavioural/social schools-of-thought. Changing business conditions eroded the basis for channel management and paid the way for current arrangements, featuring network-like conditions. Originality/value – Several reviews of distribution have been published, primarily focusing on the specific features of the perspectives applied. This paper emphas...

Interactive resource development: Implications for innovation policy

Abstract: Purpose – Previous studies of innovation policy claim that there is a mismatch between the underlying assumptions of these policies and the reality of how firms involved in innovation operate. The purpose of this paper is to deepen the knowledge of actual innovation processes in order to contribute to the modification of innovation policies. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on: a literature study focusing on the criticism and suggestions for revision of mainstream policy; and two empirical illustrations of innovation through interactive resource development. The framework is rooted in the industrial marketing and purchasing (IMP) approach to innovation, implying that a potential innovation needs to be embedded in three network settings – the developing, the producing and the using settings. Findings – The study shows that effective policy requires a modified perspective on the basic mechanisms behind innovation. First, the paper emphasises the central role of inter-organisational interacti...

Wroe Alderson, IMP and the evolution of theory

Abstract: Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse how theories evolve within scientific fields: why they receive attention and why they eventually become less attractive. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on a literature review and focusses on the theoretical structure developed by Wroe Alderson. His contributions were highly appreciated and generally considered as “the” marketing theory. However, in few years his broad perspective was more or less neglected within the field where it was developed. At the same time, Alderson’s basic thinking was adopted by the evolving IMP approach. The specific objective of the study is to analyse why researchers in marketing abandoned Alderson, while IMP adopted many of his ideas. Findings The paper illustrates significant aspects of the evolution of theories. First, the paper shows how well-established conceptualisations, like Alderson’s total systems approach, may lose impact when the focus of research shifts. Alderson’s holistic framing was found too broad and all-encompassing to be useful when research attention was directed to specific aspects of marketing management and the socio-behavioural approach to distribution. Second, the paper shows in what respect IMP found support in concepts and models presented by Alderson in the challenging of fragmented mainstream framings of the business landscape. Originality/value This paper relates the rise and fall of Alderson’s concepts and frameworks to the evolution of theories of other schools-of-thought. Furthermore, the study shows how Alderson’s ideas were adapted to other research fields than where it was originally developed.