Title: Coping with rising supply chain complexity: conceptualising a supply network map structure model to address that challenge

Authors: Antonia Kappel; Holger Schiele; Wolfgang Buchholz

Addresses: Institute of Process Management and Digital Transformation, Münster University of Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 3020, 48016 Münster, Germany; Department Technology Management and Supply, University of Twente, The Netherlands ' Department Technology Management and Supply, School of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands ' Institute of Process Management and Digital Transformation, Münster University of Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 3020, 48016 Münster, Germany

Abstract: The complexity in supply networks is increasing and influences the competitive position of the focal company. Traditional approaches like supply chain mapping only show the focal company's relationships with suppliers and customers along the vertical supply chain, but are not capable to map any horizontal buyer-supplier relationships with other companies. Hence, this paper introduces a new supply network map structure model that extends the multi-tier view towards suppliers and customers along the vertical supply chain also to the complementors and competitors across the horizontal supply chain. Thus, the model enables the development of the existing supply chain mapping theory further into a holistic supply network mapping method. The model has been conceptualised with the help of 13 semi-structured interviews and is based on relevant models from the strategic management and the purchasing and supply management (PSM) literature. According to design science, it has been refined in several iterations.

Keywords: supply network; supply chain mapping; supply chain complexity; conceptual research; theory development; semi-structured interviews; design science.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPM.2020.111348

International Journal of Procurement Management, 2020 Vol.13 No.6, pp.794 - 817

Received: 23 Jun 2019
Accepted: 07 Jul 2019
Published online: 23 Nov 2020 *

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