Chinese social media for informal knowledge sharing in the supply chain

ABSTRACT

Knowledge sharing (KS) is key for a successful supply chain (SC), and the role of information systems has been widely studied as a means to facilitate formal KS. Although critical in practice, the role of social media in informal KS within the internal SC is not sufficiently examined, even though they are intensively used for that purpose in certain specific cultural contexts. To what extent do social media contribute to KS within the internal SC functions in a cultural context where informalization is preferred? The article relies on a case study conducted in a manufacturing company in China where ERP implementation failure allowed two social media (WeChat and DingTalk) to play a growing role in the KS within the internal SC. The case study analysis follows the knowledge-based view dimensions: transferability, capacity for aggregation, and appropriability. The findings highlight the distinct role of these social media and illustrate the role of cultural dimensions in a context where informalization is preferred.

KEYWORDS:

• Social media
• informal knowledge sharing
• knowledge-based view
• Chinese context
• internal supply chain

Disclosure statement

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

Notes

1. For statistics, see: https://www.statista.com/topics/1164/social-networks/ (accessed 20 July 2022)

2. See for instance: https://www.hongdaservice.com/blog/5-reasons-why-wechat-is-successful-in-china (accessed 20 July 2022)

3. See: https://supplychainmanagement.utk.edu/blog/decision-making-for-supply-chain-managers/ (accessed 20 July 2022)

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Raphaël Lissillour

Dr. Raphael Lissillour is a professor in management at IPAG Business School and China Program Director. He created and directs professional doctoral programs, EMBA and MBA programs in foreign markets in Asia and Africa in which he promotes the principles of Engaged Management Scholarship and Evidence-based Management. He holds a PhD in International Relations from Jilin University. His scientific interests focus on (1) logistics and international relations with a focus on maritime safety, (2) sociological approaches to information systems, and (3) innovation and entrepreneurship. His research articles have been published in top tier journals such as Information Technology and people, Logistique & Management, and Gestion 2000.

Salomée Ruel

Dr. Habil. Salomée Ruel holds a Phd in Management Sciences from Grenoble Alpes University (France) and a Habilitation to supervise research from Nantes University (France). She is Associate Professor in Supply Chain Management and Information Systems Management at KEDGE Business School and belongs to the Sustainability excellence centre. Her research focuses on supply chain strategy, information systems, digitalisation, dynamic capabilities (agility, resilience, visibility, viability) and social sustainability in SCM. She has published articles in prestigious scientific journals such as International Journal of Production Economics, Annals of Operations Research, and International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management. She is the treasurer of the AIRL-SCM Scientific Association. email: [email protected]