Abstract
Purpose: It is suggested that logistics research should
have more methodological approaches than the
predominantly analytical one based on positivism and the
systems approach based on systems theory. The actors
approach would offer different viewpoints, but to date it
has seldom been used in logistics research. This paper
looks at how the actors approach can be applied to
creating a new design theory in logistics.
Design/methodology/approach: This paper aims to show the
opportunities of the actors approach to creating new
design theory in inter-organizational tracking adoption
by using material from six case studies. The study where
the actors approach was used follows the phases of design
science methodology. Finally, the study results obtained
by using the actors approach are compared with previous
literature about the topic to find the benefits of the
actors approach. Findings: The actors approach offers
innovative research possibilities and enables the
development of new design theory in logistics, especially
pertaining to the adoption of inter-organizational
logistics information systems. Research
limitations/implications: The presented study shows the
applicability of the actors approach in studying the
adoption of inter-organizational
tracking systems. More research is needed to fully
understand the potential of the actors approach in the
field of logistics in general. Practical implications:
The actors approach offers interesting viewpoints,
especially for research on practice-oriented logistics
information systems adoption, and it could be used to
narrow the gap between managerial relevance and
theoretical contributions. Original/value: The actors
approach has rarely been used in logistics research. This
paper demonstrates how this approach could be used
successfully to develop new theories in the field of
logistics by offering new viewpoints and completing other
more common approaches.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | NOFOMA 2014 Proceedings |
Subtitle of host publication | Competitiveness through Supply Chain Management and Global Logistics |
Editors | Britta Gammelgaard, Günter Prockl, Aseem Kinra, Jesper Aastrup, Peter Holm Andreasen, Hans-Joachim Schramm, Juliana Hsuan, Malek Malouf, Andreas Wieland |
Place of Publication | Copenhagen |
Publisher | Copenhagen Business School |
Pages | 741-756 |
ISBN (Print) | 978-87-997433-0-8 |
Publication status | Published - 2014 |
MoE publication type | A4 Article in a conference publication |
Event | 26th Annual Conference of the Nordic Logistics Research Network (NOFOMA) - Copenhagen, Denmark Duration: 12 Jun 2014 → 13 Jun 2014 |
Conference
Conference | 26th Annual Conference of the Nordic Logistics Research Network (NOFOMA) |
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Abbreviated title | NOFOMA 2014 |
Country/Territory | Denmark |
City | Copenhagen |
Period | 12/06/14 → 13/06/14 |
Keywords
- research methods
- actors approach
- design science
- tracking
- supply chain management