An examination of the generative mechanisms of value in big data-enabled supply chain management research

Abstract

Big data technologies (BDT) are the latest instalments in a long line of technological disruptions credited with advancing the field of supply chain management (SCM) from a purely clerical function to a strategic necessity. Yet, despite the wave of optimism about the utility of BDT in SCM, the origins of value in a BDT-enabled supply chain are not well understood. This study examines the generative mechanisms of value creation in such a supply chain by a two-pronged approach. First, we interrogate the theoretical raisons d’être of BDT in SCM. Second, we examine the evidence that support the value-added potential of BDT in SCM informed by extant empirical and quantitative studies (EQS). Taken together, our analyses reveal three key findings. First, in extending the dynamic capabilities perspective, we deduced that micro-founded rather than macro-founded studies tend to be more instructive to practice. Second, we discovered that the generative mechanisms of value in a BDT-enabled supply chain operate at the level of supply chain processes. And thirdly, we found that resilience and agility are the most important dynamic capabilities that have emerged from current BDT-enabled SCM research. Insights for policy, practice, theory, and future research are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Big data technologies
• supply chain management
• systematic literature review
• value creation
• dynamic capabilities
• generative mechanisms
• microfoundations

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Royston Meriton

Royston Meriton is an Assistant Professor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Loughborough University London, and an associate academic fellow at Leeds University Business School. I have a keen interest in digitally enabled capabilities at both the organisational and supply chain levels. In particular, my work focuses on the emerging operations and business model innovations in the smart cities landscape with an emphasis on issues relating to resilience, sustainability and production democratisation. More specifically, my research seeks to examine how these macro-level phenomena emerge from micro-level interactions within the context of industry 4.0 technologies. I collaborate with scholars globally and has a growing portfolio of publications in highly ranked peered reviewed journals. I am also currently on of the lead methods expert tasked with designing a data collection protocol for an impact case study for the ongoing Southern Africa Innovation Support (SAIS) programme financed by the Finnish Government.

Rajinder Bhandal

Rajinder Bhandal is an Associate Faculty in Management at the Centre for Decision Research at Leeds University Business School joining the faculty in 2012. I am an experienced Lecturer specialising in behavioural decision making and management. My research is located at the cutting edge of technological innovation, big data technologies, supply chain management, blockchain technologies and consumer judgement.

Gary Graham

Gary Graham have a long-standing expertise (since 1996) of investigating technological transitioning and change in the logistics and supply chain sectors, from disruptive innovation through to Brexit and more recently COVID-19. My current projects are investigating the impact of Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Robotics and Human Analytics on Supply Network Design and Management. The sectors critically investigated include: defence, aerospace, electronics, European manufacturing (high tech and advanced), automobiles and distributed manufacturing. Smart city mobility and sustainability are more applied topics myself and my team of researchers have looked at under the theme of supply chain futures. Some of the PhDs and Post Docs who have worked with me have gone on to take up research and lecturing positions at Cambridge, Oxford, Leeds, RCA and Loughborough. Further details can be found at the following: https://business.leeds.ac.uk/divisions-management/staff/299/dr-gary-graham

Anthony Brown

Anthony Brown expertise and background are in International Business, entrepreneurship, and supply chains. My current research looks at: first, the role of that migration and the acquired value of human, social, and political capital value that entrepreneurs bring to their enterprises and second, the role that smart cities and policy formulation have in shaping disruptive technologies and changes in global supply chains in the formation of new ventures within disruptive innovation environments. I attempt to incorporate my practitioner experience that has included roles in banking, business strategy, commercial, supply chain and senior manager in both the multinational corporation and start-up/ small business environments in both my past and current research.