Purpose

In the ever-increasing dynamics of global business markets, firms must use all possible sources to innovate continually. This study aims to explore how supply chain innovation can be fostered through joint efforts between firms and their supply chain partners.

Design/methodology/approach

At least two areas advocate innovation through external relations, namely, supply chain collaboration and open innovation. This study aims to provide a holistic insight into how vertical and horizontal partnerships can be implemented to help supply chains become more innovative, building upon commonalities and differences between the two areas.

Findings

This study proposes a conceptual framework for supply chain innovation based on the following three ambidextrous capabilities: purpose (i.e. knowledge exploration and exploitation), span (horizontal and vertical collaboration) and orientation (i.e. incremental and radical innovation). With five propositions, the link between the three ambidextrous capabilities and supply chain innovation is explained. The implementation of the framework is articulated through an illustrative real-life case.

Originality/value

The concept of open innovation in supply chain settings is progressively essential yet under-researched. This study is an early attempt to draw on the available theories and literature on open innovation and supply chain collaboration and elaborates how supply chains can facilitate and adopt a more open approach toward innovation.

中文翻译：

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开放供应链创新：供应链协作的扩展视角

目的

在全球商业市场不断变化的动态中，公司必须利用所有可能的资源来持续创新。本研究旨在探索如何通过企业与其供应链合作伙伴之间的共同努力来促进供应链创新。

设计/方法/方法

至少有两个领域提倡通过外部关系进行创新，即供应链协作和开放式创新。本研究旨在全面了解如何实施纵向和横向伙伴关系，以帮助供应链变得更具创新性，建立在两个领域之间的共性和差异之上。

发现

本研究提出了一个基于以下三个灵巧能力的供应链创新概念框架：目的（即知识探索和开发）、跨度（横向和纵向协作）和方向（即渐进式和激进式创新）。通过五个命题，解释了三种灵巧能力与供应链创新之间的联系。该框架的实施是通过一个说明性的现实案例来阐明的。

原创性/价值

供应链环境中的开放式创新概念越来越重要，但尚未得到充分研究。本研究是早期尝试利用有关开放式创新和供应链协作的现有理论和文献，并阐述供应链如何促进和采用更开放的创新方法。