Title: Competences and capabilities for innovation in supply chain relationships

Authors: Mario Ferrer; Ricardo Santa; Maree Storer; Paul Hyland

Addresses: School of Management and Information Systems, CQ University, Building 19, Bruce Highway, North Rockhampton, QLD 4702, Australia. ' College of Business, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. ' Business School, University of Queensland, St. Lucia Campus, Brisbane, Australia. ' School of Management, Queensland University of Technology, 947a, Level 9, Z Block, Gardens Point campus, Brisbane, QLD 7, Australia

Abstract: There is little empirical research on the relational capabilities and competences in supply chain relationships, and the important links that exist between relational capabilities, competences and supply chain innovation. This study addresses some of that knowledge gap gained through a case study of the Australian freight services sector. Findings suggest that different competences developed by supply chain participants support different ways to enable operational effectiveness. Road freight businesses should acquire knowledge of how to select and manage inter-firm relationships that provide the greatest benefit, acquiring competences that either improve their current capabilities or assist them to explore strategies that ensure incremental innovation and supply chain performance objectives are met.

Keywords: supply chain relationships; SCM; supply chain management; competences; relational capabilities; innovation capacity; supply chain innovation; Australia; freight services; operational effectiveness; road freight; inter-firm relationships; incremental innovation; innovation management; technology management; innovation enhancement; innovation environments.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2011.042987

International Journal of Technology Management, 2011 Vol.56 No.2/3/4, pp.272 - 289

Published online: 06 Apr 2013 *

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