Supply Process

This chapter focuses on research contributions to understanding supply chain management through the processes, flows, roles and behaviours that occur within supply structures. Supply processes and flows are tangible and intangible. SCM and logistics research has focused more on tangible flows of materials and information, whereas purchasing and supply management have focused on relational aspects, particularly within the dyadic relationship. Historically there has been more SCM research attention to large, high-volume manufacturers able to influence other organisations in the supply structures they operate in. Less is understood about the supply processes of smaller and less influential organisations. In some supply situations it is possible to be managerial but in others supply chain managers have to cope and react.  There has been very little research in the field of SCM on supply markets, their structures and processes, and how large organisations, confederations and governments may influence supply markets.