supply chain management research proposal

Research Methodologies in Supply Chain Management pp 251–266 Cite as

A Proposal for Case Study Methodology in Supply Chain Integration Research

• Teresa M. McCarthy B.A. Retail, MS Human Ecology 4 &
• Susan L. Golicic BS Chem. Eng., MBA 5  

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This paper describes a case study research proposal designed to explore how and why firms chose to integrate process activities with supply chain partners. Previous quantitative studies suggest that integrating demand management, collaborative forecasting, and demand planning activities can lead to competitive advantage and improved supply chain performance. This qualitative research fills a gap in previous research by exploring the phenomenon of Interfirm Demand Integration in a true supply chain context, garnering perceptions from multiple supply chain partners. Results are expected to contribute to managerial, theoretical, and methodological knowledge.

• Supply Chain Management
• Demand Management
• Collaborative Forecasting
• Qualitative Research

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Department of Management and Marketing, College of Business and Economics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, 18049, USA

Prof. Dr. Teresa M. McCarthy B.A. Retail, MS Human Ecology

Department of Marketing, Lundquist College of Business, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403-1208, USA

Prof. Dr. Susan L. Golicic BS Chem. Eng., MBA

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Herbert Kotzab

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McCarthy, T.M., Golicic, S.L. (2005). A Proposal for Case Study Methodology in Supply Chain Integration Research. In: Kotzab, H., Seuring, S., Müller, M., Reiner, G. (eds) Research Methodologies in Supply Chain Management. Physica-Verlag HD. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-7908-1636-1_17

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Green Supply Chain Management Research Proposal

Introduction.

At a certain point in time, an organization might start considering the environmental impact it makes along with it suppliers. The starting point for such consideration can be seen when such factors are important to the strategy of the company. In the last decade, the strategy of the company regarding environmental awareness is influenced more and more with the pressure of the society on adopting green practices, which significantly increased over the last decade (Vachon, 2007). Nevertheless, the costs of the adoption of such practices and the needed resources can be seen as an important factor to consider by organizations (Thun and Müller, 2010).

One area of such environmental management is concerned with supply chain, i.e. green supply chain management (Gr SCM). Such area is gaining an increasing interest among researchers and practitioners, mainly due to the deterioration of the environment, e.g. diminishing raw material resources, overflowing waste, sites and increasing levels of pollution” (Srivastava, 2007). Considering the need for resources to implement such practices, the identification of the priority of such practices in the way they are implemented along with their importance might be required. With the majority of literature is management and suppliers driven in terms of green supply-chain, it is proposed to investigate the perception of consumers of the green initiatives of a company. The focus of the proposed research will be based on cosmetics companies and cosmetics products, considering the recent trend in focusing on natural products

Statement of the Problem

In terms of cosmetics the emphasis on the use of natural products can be seen related only to a single element of the supply chain, which is the purchase of raw materials and the way they are manufactured. Accordingly, translated into information for consumers such element does not mean that the programs on controlling and improving environmental practices are implemented across the whole supply chain. Supply chain consists of other processes as well, each of which can be redesigned to reduce the environmental impact (Lu et al., 2007). The latter include such areas as inbound and outbound logistics, waste management, and others. In that regard, not all corporations can implement environmental policies in their supply chains, due to the economic risks with such implementation. At the same time, changes in consumers’ perceptions and behaviour regarding the green processes are yet to be understood, especially those changes that might not be directly related to the quality of the product. The selection of consumers as a driving force for evaluation is supported in Thun and Müller (2010), which study of ecological initiatives outlined consumers as the main drivers for adopting such initiatives (Thun and Müller, 2010). It can be stated that the study is atheoretical, where the theoretical propositions in sustainable supply chain management emphasize that the connection between customers and companies is investigated through hypotheses focusing on benchmarks (Seuring, 2010). A review of literature did not identify frameworks dealing with such problem, although in in Solér, Bergström, and Shanahan (2010), the study focused similarly on information exchanged between retail customers and suppliers. Information and perceptions regarding the need for and use of environmental information was only a part of the study, in which customers where large purchasers, rather than individual users. The study outlined the use of individual interviews as a suitable method for data collection. Accoridngly, there is

The Purpose of the Study

The purpose of the study is to explore the perceptions of consumers regarding different green initiatives in the supply chain, and the way they might influence the purchasing behaviour in the consumer industry. The philosophical paradigm taken in the present research is that of constructivist-interpretive paradigm (Belk, 2006), for which a qualitative research method will be chosen. In that regard, the following objectives are established for the research:

• To explain consumers’ view of green in cosmetics products.
• To identify the elements of supply chain that might change the behaviour of consumers, e.g. change brand preference, switch product, etc.
• To identify the green innovations in the supply chain which will not change the behaviour of consumers.
• To describe information on the supply chain that creates an environmental awareness.

Achieving the aforementioned objectives will be helpful in setting the priority for companies on the elements of the supply chain to which green practices should be extended in the first place, in order to reduce economic risks. With the main domain s in the objective being related to comprehension and knowledge, the main objective is to gain an understanding, which will be achieved through a qualitative research design. The specific research design and the data collection method for the study is focus group. A detailed explanation of such design and the rationale for its selection is explained in details in the methodology section of this proposal.

Literature Review

One of the aspects that can be used to guide the proposed research is related to the way the environmental awareness of the company can be linked to the satisfaction of customers and in turn to profits for the company. In that regard, the commitment of the company to greening initiatives in their operations is merely represented through information about such initiatives. In Solér, Bergström, and Shanahan (2010), the use of environmental information was investigated, along with its perception along the various supply chain actors. The findings of such investigation indicate that the implementation of environmental information is performed purely on financial ground. Such findings might indicate the emphasis on profit maximization as a driving force in implementing environmental practices in the supply chain.

A summary of such practices can be found in literature. In that regard, such practices are stated to include internal and external activities (Vachon and Klassen, 2006). Additionally, such practices are comprised of two sets of environmental activities, which are environmental collaboration and environmental monitoring (Vachon, 2007). Connecting such sets to internalization and externalization of supply chain activities, it is stated that internalization, i.e. integrating environment managing activities, is related to environmental collaboration, while externalization, i.e. employing market-based mechanism, is related to monitoring activities (Vachon, 2007). Specifying such activities, they might include suppliers’ voluntary compliance with a code of practice, imposing environmental specifications, certification, conducting questionnaires and audits on the compliance of suppliers to environmental standards (Vachon, 2007). Other more specific practices can be extracted from literature, from which one of the research questions can be derived, what is the environmental innovations in the supply chain that might change/form the perception of a company as green.

The connection of the environmental protection initiatives of a company with their customers are argued to be linked mainly through reputation. The latter can b translated into an environmental pressure which the consumers’ exercise on manufacturers, so that they minimize their emissions, produce environmentally friendly products, and/or sound recycling network systems (Cruz and Matsypura, 2009). Thus, poor environmental performance damages the reputation of the company. Thus, aside from corporate scandals and explicit violations, the way the environmental performance of the company can be evaluated as good or bad from the perspective of the consumer, the party responsible for environmental pressure, might need evaluation. Accordingly, the research question that can be derived will state: what consumers perceive as a green/environmentally friendly company?

The answer to such question can be important in that the evaluation of environmental performance might be based on criteria, which are not known or easily known by consumers. An example of the latter can be seen through the environmental criteria developed in Lu, Wu, and Kuo (2007), which include the percentage of components, for which suppliers has incorporated environmental management system, the percentage of those suppliers published in the environmental report, if existed, the use of recycled material in manufacturing, the type of packaging used, waste management, etc (Lu et al., 2007). Accordingly, exploring the effect of changes in such criteria on the perception of consumers on the company, and accordingly, on purchasing decision might be important. In that regard, the questions that might be derived in such aspects might state: what information on supply chain operations that might change the perception about a company, and subsequent consumer behaviour? What information will not affect such perception or decision?

The role of information can be seen important as well, where it was found in Solér, Bergström, and Shanahan (2010) that moving downstream in the supply chain and getting closer to the end consumers, lead to that the trade-off between economic and environmental goals is “a matter of consumers’ understanding of environmental problems” (Solér et al., 2010). The acknowledgement of such information and the way consumers use them, is an important aspect to identify, in that matter. The question that can be derived in that matter is: What information consumers use to identify the environmental performance of a company? Which elements of a supply chain are contained in such information?

The research designs implemented in studying supply chains can be divided between case studies, actions researches, and literature reviews (Seuring, 2010). The contribution of such research design can be seen focused on outlining the practices of green supply chains and their impact on the performance of organization. In that regard, such efforts emphasize positivistic perception of theory, which might show the lack of constructivist perspectives, which the proposed research is trying to achieve.

Research Questions

The research questions that the study will attempt to answer can be summarized as follows:

• What consumers perceive as a green/environmentally friendly company?
• What information consumers use to identify the environmental performance of a company?
• Which elements of a supply chain are contained in such information?
• What information on supply chain operations that might change the perception about a company, and subsequent consumer behaviour?
• What information will not affect such perception or decision?

Methodology

The main focus of the research is to acknowledge the perception of the consumers of green supply chain, its practices, and priorities for purchase behaviour. Thus, with such aim being revolved around acquiring a better understanding of the way consumer construct their preferences and perceptions of the green initiatives, qualitative research methods are proposed to be used. The appropriateness of such method can be seen through its main characteristics such as the emphasis on understanding, the focus on understanding from the respondents’ point of view, interpretation, and explorative orientation (Ghauri and Grinhaug, 2005). The qualitative method that will be used, which is at the same time the method of data collection, will be focus group interview.

The use of such method can be justified by its simplicity and flexibility, the small number of participants required, and the dynamic quality of the interactions that might occur within the group (Smith, 2008, Kitzinger, 1995). The researcher will act as a moderator for the group, where the research questions will act as guidelines for initiating discussions. Accordingly, the dynamic nature of focus groups will allow capturing the differences in the perceptions of participants allowing a better understanding. The data will be audio taped through during the discussion, for further transcription and analysis. The number of the participants will be established in accordance to the common practices in such interviews, taking the minimum amount for convenience. The common practices imply six to ten participants per group, and three to five group s per project. Taking the minimal number will result in three groups with six participants each (Morgan, 1997).

The method of sampling used is convenience sampling, where the participants will be recruited near local cosmetics store among those willing to participate. It can be assumed that the composition of the group will be composed mostly of women with specific characteristics related to cosmetics consumer. Nevertheless, considering that the main criteria for the participants, according to the objectives of the research, are being a consumer of cosmetics products, such composition will be appropriate in the present context.

The data will be transcribed and analysed for common themes and patterns. The data will be analysed through content analysis, where small chunks of data will be created and coded from the discussion transcripts. Each chunk of data will be coded and provided with a rich description, so that not only the frequency of such code is accounted for in the analysis. The Ethnograph application will be used as a tool that will aid in processing the qualitative data in the analysis (Qualis Research, 2010).

Time Schedule

Significance of Study

The significance of the study can be seen through the addition to the knowledge on green supply chain management from the perspective of consumers. Such knowledge can be beneficial for small to medium companies, for which the priorities of the green practices can be essential in terms of resources. The exploratory nature of the research implies for the need for empirical support, in which the identified patterns should be studied in a quantitative or mixed design study in the future. The emphasis on environmental awareness continues to increase with more and more pressure in the society. Nevertheless, extending green practices throughout the whole supply chain can be a difficult matter, which requires cooperation on many levels of the supply chain.

BELK, R. W. 2006. Handbook of qualitative research methods in marketing, Cheltenham, UK ; Northampton, MA, Edward Elgar.

CRUZ, J. M. & MATSYPURA, D. 2009. Supply chain networks with corporate social responsibility through integrated environmental decision-making. International Journal of Production Research, 47 , 621-648.

GHAURI, P. N. & GRINHAUG, K. 2005. Research methods in business studies : a practical guide, Harlow, England ; New York, Financial Times Prentice Hall.

KITZINGER, J. 1995. Introducing Focus Groups. British Medical Journal, 311 , 299-302.

LU, L. Y. Y., WU, C. H. & KUO, T. C. 2007. Environmental principles applicable to green supplier evaluation by using multi-objective decision analysis. International Journal of Production Research, 45 , 4317-4331.

MORGAN, D. L. 1997. Focus groups as qualitative research / David L. Morgan, Thousand Oaks, Calif., Sage Publications.

QUALIS RESEARCH. 2010. Ethnograph 6.0. Web.

SEURING, S. 2010. Supply chain management for sustainable products – insights from research applying mixed methodologies. Business Strategy and the Environment , n/a-n/a.

SMITH, J. A. 2008. Qualitative psychology : a practical guide to research methods, Los Angeles, Calif., SAGE Publications.

SOLÉR, C., BERGSTRÖM, K. & SHANAHAN, H. 2010. Green supply chains and the missing link between environmental information and practice. Business Strategy and the Environment, 19 , 14-25.

SRIVASTAVA, S. K. 2007. Green supply-chain management: A state-of-the-art literature review. International Journal of Management Reviews, 9 , 53-80.

THUN, J.-H. & MÜLLER, A. 2010. An empirical analysis of green supply chain management in the German automotive industry. Business Strategy and the Environment, 19 , 119-132.

VACHON, S. 2007. Green supply chain practices and the selection of environmental technologies. International Journal of Production Research, 45 , 4357-4379.

VACHON, S. & KLASSEN, R. D. 2006. Extending green practices across the supply chain. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 26 , 795-821.

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The recent pattern shifts in academia, from the traditional research approach to other conventional methods, is taking a more student-centred view. Most of the supply chain management thesis is crafted by students, including dissertation, topic creation, research, and more with help of their supervisors.

With new industries, like Amazon and Apple, transforming old concepts with technological disruption, there are new trends to look out for to help narrow your supply chain management thesis.

The 7 Powerful Supply Chain Trends (I also dubbed “Supply Chain 7.0”) have the potential to become a powerful influence over time. These trends include Augmented reality (AR), Big Data, Gamification of the supply chain, moving the supply chain to the “Cloud,” and the Internet of Things (IoT) – Industry 4.0. Also, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning in the supply chain, alongside 3D Printing, are now needed to support the product life cycle.

Forbes also highlights the key 2020 Supply Chain Technology Trends that are receiving lots of buzz in Supply Chain Management. In this regard, students seeking top-notch research areas for supply chain management thesis can consider new trends to help create adequate research content.

40  Supply Chain Management Thesis Topics for 2024

On these premises, any supply chain management thesis should be comprehensive. There several topics and areas to consider, and below are 40 Supply Chain Management Thesis Topics for 2020 that students can do research on towards an excellent postgraduate study in SCM.

Digital Transformation

• Digital Transformation Key Attributes; Challenges; enablers & Success Factors.
• Smart Government Initiatives: How Governments are Driving Digital Change.
• Digital Leadership is linking to Virtual Teams or Self Organised Teams (Agile PM).
• Did COVID 19 impact the implementation of digital transformation?
• Cross-functional collaboration in the decision-making process.
• The value of data and interdependencies in decision-making.
• Machine learning techniques in supply chain management.
• Blockchain Technology in Supply Chain Transparency: Evaluating the Impact on Traceability and Trust.
• The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Predictive Analytics for Inventory Management.
• Sustainability in Digital Supply Chain Management: A Comparative Analysis of Environmental Impact.
• Digital Transformation in Warehouse Management: Enhancing Efficiency and Customer Satisfaction

Sustainable Project Management (SPM)

• Can apply the SPM model or any of its dimensions to any type of project
• Can Blockchain help with Sustainable Project Management?
• Factors affecting the application of an efficient supply management system.

IoT- Industry 4.0 and Big Data

• Application of IoT in Logistics – Challenges; enablers & Success Factors
• The practicability of intertwined supply networks with IoT.
• Implementation of IoT in 3PL/4PL Industry – Challenges; enablers & Success Factors
• Big data and impact in DDMRP
• Evaluation of technology use in modern supply chain management.
• The extension of supply chain resilience through Industry 4.0
• The Impact of Industry 4.0 on Supply Chain Management.
• Implementation of E-logistics in Supply Chain Operations.
• Predictive Maintenance Strategies in Industry 4.0-enabled Supply Chains: A Case Study Approach
• Optimizing Supply Chain Decision-Making through Real-time Big Data Analytics
• Cybersecurity Challenges in IoT-Enabled Supply Chains: A Comprehensive Analysis.

Operations and Supply Chain Management

• Risk Evaluation and Management involved in a supply chain
• Partnerships Perspective in Supply Chain Management
• Assessing Supply Chain Risk Management Capabilities
• Implementation of Green Supply Chain Management Practices
• Supply Chain Management Practices and Supply Chain Performance Effectiveness
• The Impact of Supply Chain Management Practices on the Overall Performance of the org
• The Influence of Environmental Management Practices and Supply Chain Integration on Technological Innovation Performance
• The Relationship between Total Quality Management Practices and their Effects on Firm Performance
• Level of Commitment to Top Management regarding the TQM Implementation
• Impact of Mobility Solutions (transportation / latest technologies) on logistics.
• Study on the roles of supply chain management in corporate outsourcing.
• Evaluating strategies for cost reduction in SCM relating to exports and imports.
• Circular Economy Practices in Supply Chain Management: A Case Study Approach
• Demand Forecasting in Omnichannel Retail: A Comparative Analysis of Forecasting Models.
• Ethical and Sustainable Procurement Practices: An Examination of Implementation Challenges and Benefits.

Watch my YouTube vlog explaining more on Top 10 HOT TOPICS for Supply Chain Research for Master Thesis or Ph.D. Thesis.

Get My PhD Thesis- Supplier Development Framework

The supply chain systems of today are more likely to see massive changes technologically in the coming years. Some selected supply chain management thesis topics may face limited data or access to real-time data in making proper research and forecast, including seasonality and trends. So, due diligence is necessary to ensure you not only pick an exciting supply chain management thesis, but you also have sufficient access to data, studies, and materials useful in such an area. The impact of these trends alongside technological advancement in the selected areas would certainly help your thesis stand out and unique.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the emergent research topics in the field of supply chain management.

Blockchain Integration : Exploring the application of blockchain technology to enhance transparency, traceability, and security in supply chains.

Sustainable Supply Chains : Investigating strategies for integrating environmentally friendly practices, ethical sourcing, and social responsibility into supply chain management.

Digital Transformation : Studying the impact of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the Internet of Things on optimizing supply chain processes.

Resilience and Risk Managemen t: Analyzing approaches to build resilient supply chains capable of adapting to disruptions, such as pandemics, natural disasters, and geopolitical events.

Circular Economy : Examining supply chain models that minimize waste and promote the reuse, recycling, and repurposing of materials.

Supply Chain Visibility : Researching ways to improve real-time visibility into supply chain activities to enhance decision-making and responsiveness.

Last-Mile Delivery Optimization : Investigating innovative approaches to streamline and optimize the final stages of product delivery to consumers.

Supply Chain Finance : Exploring financial strategies and tools to optimize cash flow and working capital within supply chains.

Collaborative Supply Chains : Studying methods to enhance collaboration and information-sharing among supply chain partners to achieve mutual benefits.

E-commerce Integration : Examining the challenges and opportunities associated with integrating e-commerce platforms into traditional supply chain models.

What are the 4 areas of supply chain management?

What is the primary goal of the supply chain.

The main goal of a supply chain is to efficiently and effectively manage the flow of products or services from the point of origin to the point of consumption. This involves optimizing processes from procurement and production to distribution and delivery. The overarching objective is to meet customer demands with the right products, in the right quantity, at the right time, while minimizing costs and maximizing overall supply chain performance.

What is the difference between supply chain and supply chain management?

The term “supply chain” refers to the entire network of entities and activities involved in the creation and delivery of a product or service, encompassing suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and customers. “Supply chain management,” on the other hand, is the strategic coordination and oversight of these interconnected processes to optimize efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance overall performance. While the supply chain is the broader concept, supply chain management specifically involves the planning, execution, and control of various elements within that network to achieve business objectives.

Recommended Books

How to get a phd: a handbook for students and their supervisors.

How to Get a PhD: How to Set Yourself Up for Success in the First 12 Months (Getting My PhD)

About the Author-  Dr Muddassir Ahmed

Dr MuddassirAhmed  is the Founder & CEO of SCMDOJO. He is a  global speaker ,  vlogger  and  supply chain industry expert  with 17 years of experience in the Manufacturing Industry in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and South East Asia in various Supply Chain leadership roles.   Dr. Muddassir  has received a PhD in Management Science from Lancaster University Management School. Muddassir is a Six Sigma black belt and founded the leading supply chain platform SCMDOJO to enable supply chain professionals and teams to thrive by providing best-in-class knowledge content, tools and access to experts.

You can follow him on  LinkedIn ,  Facebook ,  Twitter  or  Instagram

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