Collaborative Supply Chain: A Conceptual Model for Operationalization

The aim of this study was to develop a conceptual model for establishing cooperation, co-ordination and collaboration in supply chains. The literature review revealed (i) nine characteristics that the relationship among companies developing collaboration in the supply chain should embody; and (ii) ten behaviours that companies developing collaboration in the supply chain should adopt. The characteristics and behaviours were employed in order to design a conceptual model, which is developed as a ladder of three major steps. The first step consists of characteristics and behaviours required for a cooperative relationship. The second step comprises the requirements for co-ordination. The third and final step displays the characteristics and behaviours enablers of collaborative practices in supply chains.