The fallacy of impact without relevance – reclaiming relevance and rigor

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to underscore the fundamental importance of relevance to an applied field such as supply chain management (SCM). It is argued that simultaneity of research rigor and relevance is necessary to assert claims of impact. Design/methodology/approach: This paper acts as a reflective essay, inductive reasoning and prescriptive framework. Findings: Impact needs to be evaluated based on both rigor and relevance, and not exclusively based on whether a paper is published in a “top-tier” journal. Without relevance, academic research in SCM will cease to be of practical importance. Research limitations/implications: The primary limitation is that this is a conceptual paper relying on logical arguments. Practical implications: The paper exhorts academics in SCM to recognize and insure practical relevance in their research. It develops strong arguments for why such a combined focus is needed and should be encouraged by journals. Originality/value: Thought provoking paper intended to change how the field evaluates research for its impact. General strategies for increasing relevance in academic research are offered.