Abstract

We propose to analyze the supply chain not (just) as interconnected firms where products move from primary production, through processing, down to final consumer (user), but rather as collaborating firms that exchange information in order for each to function. This opens the analysis of supply chains up for institutional economic analysis and also allows one to acknowledge that information can be used strategically. Yet, information exchange can also be hampered because of a supply chain’s structure—we focus on this. The difficulty of exchanging information is particularly important when an industry and its supply chain newly emerges or is disrupted. In such circumstances the way in which information is presented and used is not institutionalized yet in a way that works for the parties involved. We show the relevance of this approach to understanding supply chains by referencing the agrifood supply chain as it is on the cusp of being disrupted by the extensive use of Information Technology.

摘要

我们建议将供应链分析（不只是）作为产品从初级生产、加工、再到最终消费者（用户）的相互关联的公司进行分析，而是作为交换信息以使每个公司发挥作用的合作公司。这为制度经济分析打开了供应链分析的大门，并且还允许人们承认可以战略性地使用信息。然而，信息交换也可能因供应链的结构而受到阻碍——我们关注这一点。当一个行业及其供应链新出现或中断时，交换信息的难度就显得尤为重要。在这种情况下，信息的呈现和使用方式尚未以对相关各方有效的方式制度化。