Highlights

Abstract

Keywords

۱٫ Introduction

۲٫ Boardman Soft Systems Methodology and systemigram

۳٫ Review methodology

۴٫ Discussion

۵٫ Conclusion

Declaration of competing interest

References

Abstract

Supply chain management (SCM) adoption in a project-based environment brings substantial benefits but requires careful planning and execution. The current research examines a number of publications that are relevant to both SCM and project management in project management journals. First, we identify the key antecedents of successful SCM implementation in a project-based environment. Then we category these factors into four main areas, namely, IT integration, organizational coordination, risk management, and supply chain resilience and complexity. Third, we explore inter-relationships among these factors through a comprehensive literature review. A broad and enhanced understanding of the conceptual integration of SCM with project management is provided by exploring application areas outside the more common integration domain of the construction industry. This research presents and interprets this integration using a systemigram that visually illustrates a SCM strategy adoption pathway and depicts the complex procedures in an understandable manner.

۱٫ Introduction

The increasing focus of all industries on the supply chain suggests that the consideration of supply chain management (SCM) as applied within projects is of strategic importance to an organization’s success (Aloini et al., 2015; Giunipero et al., 2006). Both SCM and project management have drawn increasing attention in the last two decades and resulted in considerable publication in both fields (Ika, 2009; Lambert and Cooper, 2000; Mentzer et al., 2001; Munns and Bjeirmi, 1996; Pich et al., 2002; Ponomarov and Holcomb, 2009). However, little research addresses the theoretical integration of SCM in project management. The current research examines that gap in this emerging area of research because project managers can benefit from better understanding of how to integrate supply chain management within project management when the supply chain is relevant to the project. As projects grow in complexity, the likelihood that they involve a diverse set of experts and applications increases (Maylor et al., 2008; Tatikonda and Rosenthal, 2000). BMW Chief Information Officer Mr. Straub claimed that creating teams that combine technical expertise in a manner that aligns with business strategy is critical to success (Loten and Castellanos, 2019). Business practices benefit from a project-based approach because such an approach reduces management dependency, enhances resource utilization, provides senior management visibility, improves communication, and, as suggested by Straub, better aligns projects with business strategies and goals (Lycett et al., 2004). The scale of a project can range from multi-organizational collaborations to one person with a small budget. For example, the Internet of Things (IoT) is an emerging area where many companies are investing in R&D projects. In the automobile industry, implementing the project of IoT and relevant hardware-software integrations requires collaboration among multiple divisions. Those implementations become particularly challenging when different original-equipment manufacturers and numerous production processes are involved (Loten and Castellanos, 2019).