A critical review of survey-based research in supply chain integration

Supply chain (SC) integration is considered one of the major factors in improving performance. Based upon some concerns regarding the constructs, measurements and items used, this paper analyses survey-based research with respect to the relationship between SC integration and performance. The review shows that there are significant differences in the factors and constructs used to measure SC integration. A detailed analysis shows that, at the level of items, three categories can be distinguished: attitudes, practices and patterns. So far, the distinctive role of each of these three categories and how they interact has not been addressed explicitly in research. An analysis of the performance measures adopted shows that, in the survey studies so far undertaken, there has been a clear preference for measuring the performance of the focal firm only, and this through using subjective measures. Based upon this initial analysis, this paper seeks to explore avenues for further research that could better distinguish attitudes, patterns and practices plus their interrelationships. We also argue for focusing further research on SC integration within individual buyer-supplier relationships and examine the impact of this relationship on performance. Further arguments are put forward for incorporating power and business conditions, given their relevance, in future SC integration research.