Theory as a Camera or Theory as an Engine

Is theory merely a camera through which we view the world, or can it be an engine that drives change within it? In our new Notes & Debates article in the Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management, Theory as an Engine: Illuminating “White Space” of the SCM System of Knowledge Production, we (with Dane Pflueger and Christopher S. Chapman) argue that while much of the SCM literature has treated theory as a camera that tries to capture the world as it is, there is untapped potential in using theory as an engine capable of transforming SCM practices and knowledge itself. We advocate the inclusion of diverse theoretical approaches. This could enrich the body of SCM knowledge and enable innovative and practical developments in the discipline. To make the different approaches understandable, we discuss examples of SCM-related articles that used theory as a camera and that used theory as an engine. We hope you enjoy reading our article.

Pflueger, D., Wieland, A., & Chapman, C.S. (2024). Theory as an Engine: Illuminating “White Space” of the SCM System of Knowledge Production. Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management, 100910. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pursup.2024.100910