The character and significance of Nordic purchasing and supply management research: A systematic review of the literature

•Evaluates the character and significance of Nordic contributions to purchasing and supply management (PSM) research.•Analyses prevalent Nordic research methods and theories and developments over time.•Discusses if a Nordic PSM school of thought or approach can be discerned.•Evaluates if Nordic PSM research has made significant impacts.•Outlines future avenues of research for Nordic PSM research.

This paper evaluates the character and significance of Nordic contributions to purchasing and supply management (PSM) research. The paper is based on a systematic analysis of the literature, focusing on the contributions of authors with a Nordic affiliation to PSM. We seek to identify the themes in focus of Nordic PSM research, the research methods and theories that are typically employed; ultimately we discuss if a Nordic PSM school of thought or approach can be discerned and evaluate if or in which areas Nordic PSM research has made significant impact. We conclude the paper by outlining and discussing important future avenues of research for Nordic research in PSM.