Hi Akbar

Take a look at the paper attached.

Knowledge management can provide accurate information about suppliers, materials and stakeholders.

Dear Akbar,

In additional to the responses posted by Antonio (including his excellent paper on knowledge capability flows in buyer-supplier relationships), and Islam, it might also be worth looking at other studies that have provided some empirical evidence on the some of the attributes associated with knowledge management (KM) and their impact on supply chain management (SCM). For example, the study by Oloruniwo and Li (2010) looks at information technology (which can be considered as part of knowledge management) and reverse logistics (which is part of supply chain management) and how the collaborative nature might improve the company’s performance. The full reference to the above citation is as follows:

Olorunmiwo, F.O. and Li, X. (2010), “Information sharing and collaboration practices in reverse logistics”, Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, Vol. 15, No. 6, pp. 454-462.

In response to the ‘how’ aspect of the question (ii), this would obviously build on the response(s) to the first question once you have identified the specific areas of SCM and KM and Hazen et al. (2014) study comes to mind as it explores the connections between information systems and reverse logistics. Full reference below:

Hazen, B.T., Huscroft, J., Hall, D.J., Weigel, F.K. and Hanna, J.B. (2014), “Reverse logistics information system success and the effect of motivation”, International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, Vol. 44, No. 3, pp. 201-220.

Other studies that you could look up include the following:

Daugherty, P.J., Myers, M.B. and Richey, R.G. (2002), “Information support for reverse logistics: the influence of relationship commitment”, Journal of Business Logistics, Vol. 23, No. 1, pp. 85-106.

Daugherty, P.J., Richey, R.G., Genchev, S.E. and Chen, H. (2005), “Reverse logistics: superior performance through focussed resource commitments to information technology”, Transportation Research: Part E, Vol. 41, No. 2, pp. 77-92.

All the best with your research,

Nicholas

Hi Akbar,

At our classes we use a unique version  of the Beer Game simulation to demonstrate the lack or the creation of knowledge between the actors of a supply chain. I can provide you with more details if interested.

Very interesting topic indeed!

Bests,

Csilla

Maybe you can look at Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) as an area to explore. Concentrate on the Operations part.

Hi Akabr, they are good questions and  can be tested empirically in your study