Title: Strategy alignment in purchasing and supply management: a systematic literature review and research framework on the performance impact

Authors: Simon Hochrein; Matthias Muther; Christoph H. Glock

Addresses: Institute of Production and Supply Chain Management, Department of Law and Economics, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Hochschulstr. 1, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany ' Institute of Production and Supply Chain Management, Department of Law and Economics, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Hochschulstr. 1, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany ' Institute of Production and Supply Chain Management, Department of Law and Economics, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Hochschulstr. 1, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany

Abstract: This paper studies the performance impact of multi-dimensional strategy alignment in purchasing and supply management (PSM) in a literature review (LR)-based analysis. In a first step, it evaluates the scientific state-of-the-art in a systematic LR by classifying, analysing and synthesising 29 empirical studies with reference to a conceptual framework and based on the methodologies used in the sampled papers. The results of the review indicate that coordinating purchasing strategies with: 1) goals and strategies at the corporate level; 2) other functional strategies; 3) the supplier base (and the corresponding contextual requirements) has a significant positive effect on performance. Building on the conceptual framework, we highlight managerial insights and develop a research agenda by identifying research gaps and pointing out methodological shortcomings of the sampled papers in a second step. Finally, we operationalise an integrated strategy alignment index and develop hypotheses that support future empirical research on holistic strategy alignment in PSM.

Keywords: procurement; sourcing; purchasing; supply chain management; SCM; strategy alignment; performance evaluation; literature review; content analysis; systematic overview; empirical research.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISM.2017.083006

International Journal of Integrated Supply Management, 2017 Vol.11 No.1, pp.44 - 86

Accepted: 01 Dec 2016
Published online: 17 Mar 2017 *

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