The modes of supply net management: a capability view

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify the key capabilities required in supply net management. Design/methodology/approach – Uses the Management Capability Framework to break down supply net management into different modes and identify capabilities required in them. Findings – Reveals that the supply activity of companies increasingly takes place in intentionally developed strategic networks called supply nets. These networks pose distinctive challenges for supply chain management. Identifies four diverse but simultaneously extant modes of management in the supply net context, and discusses the key managerial capabilities in each mode. Originality/value – Provides a conceptual framework to fulfill the identified need to understand management in the network management context. This paper enables researchers and business practitioners to identify the strategic focus and key capabilities required in managing supply nets.