Introduction to the Handbook of Theories for Purchasing, Supply Chain and Management Research

Answering the strong call for theory application and development in purchasing and supply management (PSM) and supply chain literature, this Handbook is an essential reference that provides extensive guidance on which theories to apply, how to apply them, and when to build theory. Introductory chapters present the background for using theory in PSM, providing a mapping of major types of theory to offer guidance on appropriate theory application and when a new theory or mid-range theory development is required. Featuring more than 25 theories with relevance across management research, each chapter presents an excellent overview for beginning the exploration of a certain theory. The authors discuss assumptions about different theories such as agency theory, transaction cost, and game theory, and explore levels of analysis, unit of analysis, variables, and relationships as well as key research findings. In addition, chapters include citations for selected seminal literature for further reading. The Handbook will be a key reference for scholars in management and marketing fields, particularly empirical researchers in operations, supply chain, and management sciences.