Journal of Business & Economic Policy

Supply Chain Contracts, Coordination, and Ego Networks. A Research Proposal
Torsten Doering, Ph.D; Max Winterburn, M.S.

Abstract
The potential of interest alignment between independent firms through supply chain contracts (SCC)is not fully utilized. An exhausting amount of analytical research indicates advantages of SCCs, buttheir use in practice is limited (Cachon, 2003). This article aims to illuminate the purpose of supply chain specific contracts as an inter-organizational coordination tool, as seen through the lens of organizational theory. The central question of this study relates to the conditions and antecedents of supply chain contract use, with an emphasis on vertical dyadic and secondary horizontal links between companies in a supply chain. A review shows that this topic can benefit from a connection to network theory. A three-stage research model utilizing network analysis based on case-based data collection is proposed.

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