The effect of supply chain strategy on the relationship between innovation capabilities and business performance. A theoretical model

Abstract

Although the relationship between supply chain (SC) and innovation has attracted attention from researchers in recent years, the relationship between innovation capabilities and SC strategies is a subject that has not yet been explored extensively. The main objective of this paper is to examine how SC strategies affect the relationship between innovation capabilities and business performance. The paper, characterised as a conceptual paper with the aim of contributing to theory building, is based on the concept of fit and on the principles of the contingency theory and the resource-based view. Further, a literature review and a theoretical discussion, a theoretical model and a set of research propositions are presented. The theoretical rationale shows the potential for improvement in performance through the relationship between innovation and SC and can be used to boost empirical research on the topic.