Process Research Methods for Studying SCM Phenomena

Our discipline is often dominated by propositional theorizing, which understands theories in terms of cause-and-effect relationships. In a previous post, I discussed how pluralism in theorizing styles (propositional, perspectival, and provocative theorizing) can enrich SCM research. A recent article by Julia Grimm, Ann Langley, and Juliane Reinecke (Process Research Methods for Studying Supply Chains and Their Management) introduces process theorizing as an additional option. The article outlines four approaches to studying processes: (1) evolution, which tracks how entities such as supply chains change over time; (2) narrative, which focuses on how people make sense of change; (3) activity, which examines the ongoing practices that constitute supply chains; and (4) withness, which emphasizes the co-evolution of researchers and the phenomena they study. These approaches demonstrate that supply chains are not static systems, but can be described in terms of dynamic, evolving processes. Process theorizing helps researchers better understand phenomena – such as those related to sustainability, resilience, and digitization – by focusing on how changes unfold over time.

Grimm, J., Langley, A., & Reinecke, J. (2024). Process Research Methods for Studying Supply Chains and Their Management. Journal of Supply Chain Management, 60(4), 3-26. https://doi.org/10.1111/jscm.12331