Title: Learning to integrate: supply chains reconceptualised

Authors: Andrew J. Sense, Michael D.J. Clements

Addresses: Centre for Leadership and Knowledge Management, School of Management and Marketing, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia. ' Centre for Applied Systems Research, School of Management and Marketing, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia

Abstract: This paper introduces and explains a conception of supply chains from a situated learning perspective. This non-conventional supply chain perspective invites the reader to consider supply chain scenarios as |situated learning opportunities involving multiple communities of practice| interacting and participating together. It is argued that by embracing and appropriately engaging this humanistic, social and practical learning perspective, supply chain practitioners have opportunities to initiate a Community of Practice condition across a supply chain setting. Therein, as a supply community, practitioners can systematically and collaboratively focus on developing their learning skills, their knowledge and their relationships, which serve to stimulate and promote inter-organisational integration and performance.

Keywords: communities of practice; supply community; supply chain integration; situated learning; supply chain management; SCM; supply chain performance; supply chain collaboration; learning skills.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLC.2007.015506

International Journal of Learning and Change, 2007 Vol.2 No.2, pp.130 - 144

Published online: 22 Oct 2007 *

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