Short answer

Rethink supply chain strategies to encompass the 'web' of interconnected networks, fostering collaboration and innovation across multiple organizational boundaries.

Field: Innovation & Design
Source: Corpus Université Laval (Université Laval) (2014)
Method: Theoretical investigation and simulation modelling
Evidence: Strong effect

Expanding supply chain management from a network perspective to a 'web' of interconnected networks reveals new opportunities for innovation and addresses complex global challenges. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2014 study published in Corpus Université Laval (Université Laval). Using Theoretical investigation and simulation modelling, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Rethink supply chain strategies to encompass the 'web' of interconnected networks, fostering collaboration and innovation across multiple organizational boundaries.

Study

Innovation & DesignHigh ImpactStrong effect

Shifting from Network to Web: Unlocking Supply Chain Innovation

Expanding supply chain management from a network perspective to a 'web' of interconnected networks reveals new opportunities for innovation and addresses complex global challenges.

Corpus Université Laval (Université Laval) · 2014

Key Findings

01The 'network' concept is limiting for supply chain management, hindering fundamental innovation.
02A 'web' dimension, representing networks of networks, offers a more comprehensive framework for understanding and managing complex flows.
03Adopting a web dimension significantly impacts inter-organizational collaboration and decision-making.
04Simulation modelling can effectively evaluate and compare different web structures in logistics.

Application

Design takeaway

Rethink supply chain strategies to encompass the 'web' of interconnected networks, fostering collaboration and innovation across multiple organizational boundaries.

How to apply

When designing or optimizing supply chain systems, consider the broader ecosystem of interconnected networks and their emergent properties, rather than focusing solely on direct supplier-customer relationships.

Project actions

01When analyzing a system, consider its connections to other systems.
02Use simulation to test how changes in one part of a network affect other connected networks.

Method & Evidence

AimHow can adopting a 'web' dimension, encompassing interconnected networks, enhance supply chain management and foster innovation beyond traditional network approaches?

MethodTheoretical investigation and simulation modelling

ProcedureThe research theoretically explores the rationale and methodology for integrating a 'web' dimension into supply chain management. It then develops a simulation model to evaluate and compare different open web configurations within logistics.

ContextSupply chain management and logistics

Variables

IVAdoption of a 'web' dimension in supply chain management perspective.

DVSupply chain innovation, inter-organizational collaboration, decision-making effectiveness.

CVComplexity of supply chain flows, economic/environmental/social challenges.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Provides a novel conceptual framework ('web' dimension) for supply chain management.
+Proposes a methodology for simulation-based evaluation of logistics webs.

Limitations

It can be challenging to gather data on all the connections within a complex web of networks, and simulations may not perfectly replicate real-world unpredictability.

Reliability & validity

The theoretical nature of the argument and the reliance on simulation modelling for validation may present challenges in establishing direct empirical reliability and validity without extensive real-world testing.

Think critically

To what extent can a 'web' dimension truly capture the emergent properties of highly complex, dynamic supply chain ecosystems, and what are the practical challenges in modelling and managing such systems?

Design Principles

"Embrace complexity by designing for interconnected systems rather than isolated networks."

Traditional network views in supply chain management are insufficient for capturing the full complexity of physical, informational, and financial flows. Adopting a 'web' dimension, which considers interconnected networks of networks, provides a more robust theoretical foundation for strategic interventions and unlocks potential for innovation that transcends single networks.

What This Means for Your Design

Think of supply chains not just as a line of companies, but as a giant, interconnected web of many lines. This bigger picture helps find new and better ways to manage how things are made and moved, especially for big problems like climate change.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this research when discussing the limitations of linear or single-network models in your design project and how a more holistic, interconnected approach can lead to better solutions.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research highlights the limitations of traditional network perspectives in supply chain management, advocating for a 'web' dimension that considers interconnected networks. This broader view is essential for fostering innovation and addressing complex challenges. Designers should consider this 'web' perspective to develop more resilient and effective solutions by understanding systemic interdependencies.

Source

Corpus Université Laval (Université Laval)

From Network to Web dimension in supply chain management

journal · 2014

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about shifting from network to web: unlocking supply chain innovation?: Rethink supply chain strategies to encompass the 'web' of interconnected networks, fostering collaboration and innovation across multiple organizational boundaries. Evidence: Corpus Université Laval (Université Laval) (2014).
Why does "Shifting from Network to Web: Unlocking Supply Chain Innovation" matter for design?: Traditional network views in supply chain management are insufficient for capturing the full complexity of physical, informational, and financial flows. Adopting a 'web' dimension, which considers interconnected networks of networks, provides a more robust theoretical foundation for strategic interventions and unlocks potential for innovation that transcends single networks.
How can designers apply this research?: Rethink supply chain strategies to encompass the 'web' of interconnected networks, fostering collaboration and innovation across multiple organizational boundaries.
What were the main findings?: The 'network' concept is limiting for supply chain management, hindering fundamental innovation.. A 'web' dimension, representing networks of networks, offers a more comprehensive framework for understanding and managing complex flows.. Adopting a web dimension significantly impacts inter-organizational collaboration and decision-making.. Simulation modelling can effectively evaluate and compare different web structures in logistics.
What research method was used?: Theoretical investigation and simulation modelling.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2014 journal from Corpus Université Laval (Université Laval).
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing or optimizing supply chain systems, consider the broader ecosystem of interconnected networks and their emergent properties, rather than focusing solely on direct supplier-customer relationships.
What are the limitations?: The research is primarily theoretical and simulation-based, with direct empirical validation of the 'web' concept's impact on real-world supply chains requiring further investigation.