The new supply chain agenda: a synopsis and directions for future research

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is first, to summarize the findings from the book The New Supply Chain Agenda (Slone, Dittmann, and Mentzer 2010). Second, it reviews associated academic research, identifies critical knowledge gaps, and suggests areas for future academic research that will aid scholars and managers in improving supply chain management (SCM) performance. Design/methodology/approach - The paper summarizes and extends The New Supply Chain Agenda and juxtaposes the major elements of that book with a content review of existing literature in logistics and SCM to align gaps in knowledge with a call for future research. Findings - The findings deepen understanding of the complexities and interrelationships prevalent among the five pillars and help identify new ways to improve the performance impact of SCM initiatives. Research limitations/implications - Major areas for future research within the broad topics of talent management, technology, internal integration, external collaboration, and change management are identified. Academic research related to each area or pillar is summarized, gaps are identified, and future research directions are suggested to provide avenues in which theoretical grounding and scientific rigor may be applied to each pillar of The New Supply Chain Agenda. Practical implications - Many of the proposed solutions to the challenges faced by supply chain professionals have not been subjected to the scholarly scrutiny that would determine their validity. This paper presents areas for meaningful academic research to help supply chain practitioners separate truth from hype. Originality/value - The paper seeks to stimulate thinking and suggest new areas in which to do research related to the book's key premises.