Case Study Research in Supply Chain Management - Essay Example

Advanced Communication Skills A Critical Analysis of Case Study Research in Supply Chain Management by Stefan A. Seuring Introduction The discussion in this particular critical review is about research study done by Stefan A. Seuring. Stefan’s paper aimed at assessing the practises on supply chain management that are most current. In his study, he looked into two fields. These fields that would help Stefan’s in his study were, supply chain management on sustainability and supply chain management on performance. The methodology and design of his research were based on content analysis for quality documentation of his case study. In his finding Stefan notes that the researcher on supply chain have to employ too much effort in data collection, secondly they were too comprehensive in documenting related peer-reviewed journal publications. Through these two approaches, the researchers believed their work would be appreciated more. Summary While this chain of supply is receiving too much attention, three stages were looked at, since they would comprehend the approach that assessed the whole world. The research was set in a manner that would always allow its analysis on the contemporary phenomenon. This was made possible through carrying the research in a well structure and ensuring good documentation. This research puts certain criteria forward deemed very usefully. The criteria include case selection, collecting data, being valid and reliable. In recent years, this research has importantly been highlighted by authors for supply chain management, logistic operations and other operations. Supply chain management is developing as one major approach in business management together with administration. Supply chains are sets of organizations and streams of chains. These streams include finances and products. To achieve a competitive position, (Handfield and Nichols, 1999, p.2) notes; supply chain management should be integrated into improved chain relationship. In the research methodology, two issues were looked at, the first analysis of the research content then outline of the research. Through content analysis research process that was conducted was described according to five steps outlined by Stuart et al. (200) suitable for empirical methods. A model on this process has four steps comprising; material collection, descriptive analysis, dimension selection and material evaluation. Case study research definition makes an empirical enquiry that seeks to establish a contemporary phenomenon within the context that pertain real life. Case study can be used for three different purposes. According to (Yin 2003, p. 3) one of those purposes is determination of the feasibility of the procedure used in that research. Another purpose is describing completely the phenomenon within the context. It also explains the happenings of the data. For contrast, some cases use replication logic. However, they can be used in the selection of typical cases in the set domain (Eisenhardt, 1989). This particular context gives rise to the question whether the whole study was deeply based. The process of the research in the case study was the same as one of the other empirical research. The importance of the process was choosing linear, sequential approach. However the actual process was to repeat steps. In ensuring the quality of the case study, the research design is ensured by aiming validity and ensuring reliability. (Yin, 2003, p.34; Mayring, p. 34) lays emphasis on the problems of ensuring reliability and objectivity of qualitative research. (Stuart et al, 2002), however, addresses qualitative research through validity and reliability that is procedural. Following the work of other authors (Marying, 2002, p. 144) highlights six quality factors for quality research: process documentation, safeguarding interpretation by argument, the research process structured by rule of conduct, being close to the study item, communicative validation and triangulation. Analysis and evaluation While there is too much debate on theoretical development in supply chain management, very rare advancements on research approach, have been made. It further raises similar questions regarding any factors that would distinguish research on supply chain management and research on other fields of management. It is evident that the supply chain comprises many companies. Stefan notes the data is collected from a wide range and across many stages of the supply chain, though, the specific research design should be applied. A case study would, however, provide a customized and flexible approach that justifies the research aim (Seuring, 2005. Editorial boards make preferences for research approaches that are empirical in nature. There is one international journal that serves an example in supply chain management. It seeks to encourage related papers on such research. Such analysis is not inclusive in this research paper. (Hilmola et al, 2005) makes a good presentation of a related piece of work. Complementing methodology driven approach looking at how and whether case study papers have made any contribution to theoretical development. These research papers analyse what approach was taken whether it was quantitative or qualitative. This process has not fully been assessed. Looking at the table that was presented and discussed in the publications, analytic dimensions and categories related to it are not exhaustively discussed comprehensively. In content analysis, the information was not openly stated since papers were assigned in more than one category. The content was given rather implicitly making it only conclusive through reading because authors did not give statements related to the description of their process in the research. Weaknesses and strengths of case research on supply chain Looking at analysis presented above, the two fields describing a presentation of the case study research on supply chain management, could be described as, either dealing with selected case for unknown reasons, approaching one chain supply, data collected through interviews and analysing company websites. Besides, the research being unclear how the data was analyzed and how the rigor of this research was ensured. This method makes the publication prone to objection from researchers using other empirical methods such as surveys and mathematical modelling. The content of the research is more important than information since the space in the journal maybe limited, therefore; it sounds more appropriate to summarize the information on a brief table. Conclusion A supply chain management research has been published in a number of papers. Methodology of the case study has been developed and documented. A better documentation is always encouraged even where the author fails to provide basic information. It can help in avoiding criticism and allow readers in assessing the quality of the research. The flexibility of the case study allows accessing supply chain in each stage. Empirical research is needed, however, enhances understanding of supply chain management. Bibliography Bailey, S.2011. Academic Writing: A Handbook for International Students. London: Routledge. Brandt, C. 2009. Read, Research And Write: Academic Skills For Esl Students In Higher Education. London: SAGE. Burns, T. and Sinfield, S. 2012. Essential Study Skills: The Complete Guide To Success at University, 3rd ed. London: SAGE. Cottrell, S. 2013. The Study Skills Handbook, 4th ed.. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan. Eunson, B. 2012. Business Writing. 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