Examining alignment between supplier management practices and information systems strategy

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine alignment between supplier management practices and information systems (IS) strategies (i.e. particular IS applications portfolios), and its effects on supply chain integration and supply chain flexibility.Design/methodology/approach – The paper develops a model and hypotheses suggesting that “lean” supplier practices, when aligned with the “IS for Efficiency” IS strategy, have a positive association with supply chain integration. Similarly, “agile” supplier practices when aligned with the “IS for Flexibility” IS strategy, have a positive association with supply chain flexibility. The paper empirically validates the model using survey data from directors and senior managers in purchasing and supply chain functions from 205 manufacturing firms in the USA. Factor analysis was conducted to test convergent and discriminant validity. Hypotheses testing was done via structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis using SMART Partial Least Square (PLS) software.Find...