Towards a theoretical framework of co-development in supply chains: role of platform affordances and supply chain relationship capital
Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing
ISSN: 0885-8624
Article publication date: 12 December 2023
Issue publication date: 10 May 2024
Abstract
Purpose
Using perspectives from the technology affordance and social capital theories, this study aims to unpack the process through which platform-enabled co-development unfolds in supply chain contexts. Specifically, it explores how innovation outcomes can be fostered through platform affordances and supply chain relationship (SCR) capital.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper integrates literature on digital platforms, SCRs and co-development to produce an integrative framework, developing propositions on the relationships among digital platforms, SCR capital and innovation outcomes.
Findings
The authors identify affordances for distinctive strategic use of platforms: value co-creation, relationship building and strategic learning. The authors discuss ways in which each affordance contributes to the advances in SCR capital, thus altogether enabling focal firms to orchestrate and integrate internal and external resources to attain incremental and radical innovation.
Research limitations/implications
Based on the proposed research framework, further empirical studies can use quantitative data to measure the relationship between affordances and SCR capital and use longitudinal case studies to explore how affordances and SCR capital evolve to provide more fine-grained and contextualised information in different research settings.
Originality/value
This paper sheds light on how the relation between the adoption of digital platforms and SCR capital shapes digitally enabled service co-development. The authors provide an alternative explanation of resource integration in platform-mediated supply chain contexts and enrich the related literature on how digital platforms can maximise value from introducing ambidextrous innovation by leveraging internal and external resources.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The work conducted in this paper was sponsored by Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China; LY22G020010. The authors also appreciate helpful comments from the associate editor and two referees.
Funding: Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China; LY22G020010.
Citation
Chen, Y., Chan, H.K. and Cai, Z. (2024), "Towards a theoretical framework of co-development in supply chains: role of platform affordances and supply chain relationship capital", Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, Vol. 39 No. 5, pp. 1029-1045. https://doi.org/10.1108/JBIM-08-2022-0380
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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