This paper is a literature review to compare selected dimensions of manufacturing, services and R&D sectors supply chains. Each supply chain is seen as a system which proper input should be proceed to gain appropriate output. Therefore, to study the supply chains, inputs, outputs and the processors specifications should be considered and the most common characteristics of each sectors’ input and output are investigated; additionally, due to wide range of supply chain specifications the factors are brought from the literature to the model to have a unique structure of comparison: quality, cost, flexibility, competitiveness, resource utilization and innovation. The final result is a comparison of the factors in manufacturing, service and R&D sourcing. Purpose – This paper is a literature review. Due to novelty of R&D sourcing in compare with tangible manufacturing sourcing and intangible service sourcing, and lots of models and procedures from manufacturing sourcing were modified in services sourcing, we tried to compare manufacturing and services sourcing bold aspects with R&D souring to find out the possibilities of such modifications. Additionally, exploring on the similarities and differences could lighten up sourcing strategy selection processes. Design/methodology/approach – Supply chain management is initiated in manufacturing companies, and then various methods, procedures and strategies are modified, developed, and applied at service sector organizations. Therefore, R&D supply chains can be understood by comparing various factors of manufacturing (tangible) and service (intangible) supply chains to find opportunities for modification or innovation in R&D supply chains. The supply chain is a system in which the input should pass out the processor to be converted into the appropriate output. Thus, in this study, inputs, outputs, and processors of supply chains are studied. Using the variation and range of supply chains factors as processor criteria, the most important characteristics of supply chains are studied: quality, cost, flexibility, competitiveness, resource utilization, and innovation. Findings – The result of the study is a general comparison of R&D, manufacturing, and service supply chains in terms of these criteria: quality, cost, flexibility, competitiveness, resource utilization, and innovation that gives a synergetic view points. Originality/Value – Modifying and developing sourcing strategies and procedures in manufacturing and service sourcing are possible approaches. The possibilities and opportunities in R&D sourcing were evaluated. Subsequently, there are not any other researches which compare R&D sourcing with manufacturing and services.
