Clusters and supply chain management: the Amish experience

Purpose – To demonstrate the linkage between Porter's cluster theory and supply chain management, and provide evidence of their potential joint positive impact on competitiveness and firm performance. Design/methodology/approach – The paper examines the linkage between cluster theory and supply chain management using data from a case study of the Amish furniture industry in Homes County, Ohio, USA. Findings – Using the Amish furniture industry and a representative furniture firm as examples, the paper shows the positive impact of operating within an integrated supply chain in a geographically concentrated cluster. Research limitations/implications – Use of a single case study approach limits the generalizability of the findings; the paper recommends further study of linkages in other industries and locations. Practical implications – The study suggests that firms build competitive advantage by initially focusing primarily on local resources when selecting supply chain partners, rather than looking only for low cost advantage through distant sourcing. Originality/value – This paper adds to the literature on business linkages by proposing an expanded definition of clusters as geographical concentrations of competing supply networks.