Wisdom from Arabian networks: a review and theory of regional supply chain management

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to present a systematic review of the supply chain management (SCM) research on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Using 75 journal articles from high quality SCM-related publication outlets, the review finds three main SCM complexities of managing supply chain uncertainty: (i) strategically selecting and integrating network resources, (ii) reliably contracting and delivering high-quality solutions, and (iii) cost-effectively controlling and financing operational expansions. The review also finds that managers configure supply chains involving GCC countries with emphasis on ‘productivity–efficiency’, ‘relationship-building’, ‘technology-enabling’, ‘environmental-consciousness’, and ‘conformance-improvement’ orientations. These orientations represent the different themes for competitiveness at chain–chain levels. With insights from the review, the article develops foundations for an orientation theory, a culturation theory and an organic view of supply chains. The article also discusses prospects for future regional SCM research.

Keywords:

• Supply chain management
• regional supply chains
• competitive priorities
• uncertainty
• Middle East
• Gulf Cooperation Council
• complexity
• orientation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 For instance, Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 in 2008, Kuwait's Vision 2035 "New Kuwait" in 2017, Oman Vision 2040 in 2019, Qatar National Vision 2030 in 2008, Saudi Vision 2030 in 2016, and UAE Vision 2021 in 2010

2 Information environments are the settings and situations that determine the information transparency related to the governance of internal environments (Bhattacharyya et al. 2010).

3 Within supply chains involving the GCC region, de facto mode for value and performance has been dynamic (Loch, Straub, and Kamel 2003); espousing the use of different SCM practices (e.g. outsourcing, benchmarking and lean management). Dynamism is also central to the various production systems (Samanta and Al-Araimi 2001) and the marketplaces (Giunipero and Flint 2001) of regional supply chains.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Christopher M. Durugbo

Dr Christopher M. Durugbo is an Associate Professor at the Arabian Gulf University in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain. He is a supply chain and services innovation expert with an interest in system thinking for innovative services and policies, network analysis for supply chain innovation, and managing collaboration for innovation through informatics and ergonomics. Dr Durugbo has published findings from his research in several journals such as International Journal of Operations and Production Management, European Journal of Operational Research, Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, International Journal of Production Research, Production Planning and Control, Annals of Operations Research, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Expert Systems with Applications, Ergonomics, and Information Sciences.

Omar Amoudi

Dr Omar Amoudi is Associate Professor in Construction Management and Programme Director of the MSc in Construction Management at the College of Engineering, National University of Science and Technology (NUST). He completed his PhD from the University of Nottingham, UK and developed the NUST MSc in International Operations and Supply Chain Management with Glasgow Caledonian University.  Previously he was Associate Professor at Damascus University and taught at the Philadelphia University in Jordan. He was involved in several EU Funded Projects through collaboration with Leeds Beckett University and Northumbria University in UK, and University of Lyon 1 in France.

Zainab Al-Balushi

Dr Zainab Al-Balushi is an Assistant Professor of Operations Management at College of Economics and Political Science, Sultan Qaboos University. Currently she is the Head of Quality Assurance and Academic Accreditation Unit. She is also a Faculty Fellow in the Centre of Excellence in Teaching and Learning. She is a founding member of Oman Logistics Association and a member in formulating the Sultanate of Oman Logistics Strategy 2040. She is a reviewer for various journals and has published in international journals such as Supply Chain Management: An International Journal and International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management. Her research interests include Inter-Firm Relationships, Supply Chain Uncertainty and Risk Management, CSR & Sustainability, logistics Digitalisation, and Logistics Education.

Abdel Latef Anouze

Dr Abdel Latef Anouze is an Associate Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Management at Qatar University. He received his PhD from Aston University, MBA from University of East London, and MSc from Yarmouk University, Jordan. His research interests span a wide variety of topics including supply chain management, performance management and measurement, data envelopment analysis, data management and mining, service management, and e-Governance service. He is a member of the Editorial Board of Organisation Theory Review journal. He has published his work in journals of repute such as European Journal of Operational Research, Expert Systems with Applications, Expert Systems, and Government Information Quarterly.