Chapter 32. Panarchy theory

Panarchy theory offers new opportunities for researchers when it comes to interpreting and analyzing supply chains. Originally intended for the analysis of ecological systems, panarchy theory has gained attention in other research fields such as management studies, as it enables the analysis of, for instance, supply chains in a wider context, where the supply chain is recognized as being interconnected with the society, the ecological environment and other systems (Wieland 2021). In order to adopt panarchy theory in procurement, supply chain management or adjacent management disciplines, it is necessary to translate the original theory from ecology to a social context, requiring a reinterpretation of the unit of analysis. In this chapter, we will discuss applications of panarchy theory in the realm of supply chain management, highlighting possible future research directions.