The Path Forward for the Journal of Business Logistics

As we begin a new chapter in the leadership of the Journal of Business Logistics (JBL), we have taken the time to listen and reflect. Thankfully, the previous editor teams, most recently Beth Davis-Sramek and Glenn Richey, are handing over the Journal in excellent shape. Submissions, acceptance rates, turnaround times, and impact factors all firmly place JBL among the small set of leading journals in the broader supply chain management space. We do not take this success for granted. In a world of AI, rising expectations for academic promotion and tenure, and dynamic global business challenges, emerging as a journal of choice is not an easy feat. To best serve our readers, authors, and engaged community members, JBL needs to continuously improve.

To this end, we have spent considerable time reflecting on JBL's legacy and its role within the discipline. In addition, we sought the perspectives of a broad array of JBL stakeholders. This process has revealed both clarity and questions about who we are, what we value, and how to best lead JBL forward. In this editorial, we outline the principles, priorities, and expectations that will guide our editorship over the next 4 years. We particularly focus on three pillars: the Journal's identity, theoretical and methodological expectations, and guidelines to consider when authoring and reviewing research for JBL. While an exhaustive treatment of each issue is beyond the scope here, we think of this first editorial as a roadmap and conversation starter that will evolve as we continue to listen and engage with our community.

JBL, as a premier supply chain journal, publishes high-quality empirical and conceptual research that shapes scholarly discourse, informs managerial practice, and in so doing engages a global audience. While some journals intentionally narrow their scope or privilege certain paradigms, JBL remains committed to a broad and inclusive view of global supply chain scholarship. We believe that strong research can come from any thought tradition, theoretical foundation, level of analysis, or method, as long as it advances the scholarly and practical understanding of how supply chains function and provide utility.

Besides interesting and impactful research questions that are firmly positioned within the broader supply chain management space, all research published in JBL must be executed and presented in ways that maintain the reputation and integrity of the Journal. This requires that published research make compelling use of extant theory to frame and develop its contributions. Moreover, the research must uphold and, in some cases, advance methodological standards. Considering our desire to shape and lead academic discourse in the discipline as well as the practical visibility and impact of the work published in JBL, rigorous execution is paramount. While we strive for brevity in this editorial, we do find it necessary to state a few important perspectives regarding theory and methods.

The integrity, efficiency, and quality of the research and review processes are paramount to the Journal's continued success. To this end, we articulate our thoughts on selected issues and key priorities below.

We hope the thoughts outlined above prompt additional discussion and meaningful dialogue with our stakeholders. Let us build the future of supply chain management together. To our authors, we invite your best work. To our reviewers, we thank you for upholding high standards with humility. To our readers and industry partners, we remain committed to publishing research that is relevant, rigorous, and resonates. To Beth, Glenn, and the many thought leaders and scholars who, in different ways and at different points in time, have contributed to the Journal's growth and success, we thank you for all your work and for passing the baton on to us. The road ahead will evolve, but we are committed to walking it with purpose, with partners, and with the passion this field deserves.

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.