Organizational culture and supply chain strategy: A framework for effective information flows

Purpose - Critical information flows in the supply chain reflect the patterns of organizational culture and supply chain strategy (SCS). This paper aims to links organizational culture and SCS using competing values and an uncertainty framework. Design/methodology/approach - Anchored at literature review on organizational culture and SCS, this paper presents a typology with four patterns of organizational culture with four types of corresponding SCS. Findings - This paper presents diverse requirements for effective design of supply chain in that for each pattern of organizational culture, corresponding SCS is identified: efficient for hierarchical, risk-hedging for group, responsive for rational, and agile for developmental culture. Research limitations/implications - The exploratory nature of this study requires empirical research validation. Firms may use this research framework in design and evaluation of their supply chain management structure according to their organization's cultural elements and requirements. Practical implications - Using this integrative framework business executives may better manage the informational infrastructures that reflect the rich dynamics between their particular organizational cultural traits and supply chain behavioral practices. Originality/value - This paper expands the concept of organizational culture in the extended supply chain network context and identifies information strategy profiles.