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Supply Chain Visibility Research: Framework for Understanding Benefits & Limits

TCU Neeley Research Highlights – Combining leadership experience, Neeley faculty influence industry and academic leaders through research findings. 

January 31, 2024

TCU Neeley School of Business Eunice and James L. West Chair in Supply Chain Management, Morgan Swink, and Professor of Professional Practice in Supply Chain Management, Cliff Defee, partnered with experts to identify key types of supply chain visibility and their connections to various factors, offering a new framework to help understand how visibility can enhance or limit its benefits for firms. Their research also highlights trends and suggest areas for future research in this field. (Journal of Business Logistics, 2024). 

Abstract 

Existing literature offers multiple interpretations of how managers might develop and deploy supply chain visibility (SCV). However, current visibility research lacks rigorous definitions of visibility types and their relationships to contextual factors. Our systematic literature review and analysis extends previous studies by identifying visibility objects, potentially important contextual characteristics, and their interrelationships. We highlight research trends and develop a framework that links types of visibility to relational, environmental, and operational characteristics that either support visibility development or moderate its value for a firm. In addition, we offer a synthesis and critique of research questions, theoretical perspectives, and methods researchers have used to address SCV concepts and relationships. The review findings suggest rich opportunities for future research. 

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Photo: Cliff Defee

Cliff Defee

Professor of Professional Practice, Supply Chain Management
Director, MS Supply Chain Management Program
Information Systems and Supply Chain Management Department

Neeley 3237
817-257-4095
cliff.defee@tcu.edu

Photo: Morgan Swink

Morgan Swink

Executive Director
Professor
Eunice and James L. West Chair in Supply Chain Management
Center for Supply Chain Innovation

Neeley 3236
817-257-7463
m.swink@tcu.edu