Determinants of Informal Coordination in Networked Supply Chains

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine capability connectivity, relationship alignment and the ability to informally network in the supply chain as determinants for better utilizing capabilities amongst supply chain partners. In particular, the paper focuses on how the above described determinants may impact on operational performance in the supply chain when responding to short‐lived demand requirements or highly dynamic markets.Design/methodology/approach – A mixed research methodology is used, including a qualitative exploratory phase to confirm the relevance of the research question to the practitioner, followed by quantitative structural equation modeling, based on a sample of 231 supply chain professionals.Findings – In total, four determinants of informal networking were derived: capability connectivity, describing the ability of supply chain partners to rapidly and informally integrate capabilities, such as IT, to service an ad hoc market requirement; relationship alignment ...