Supply integration: An investigation of its multi-dimensionality and relational antecedents

Integration in the supply chain has been conceptualized and researched from multiple perspectives. In this study, we empirically examine the multi-dimensionality of supply integration and explore its relational antecedents. Analyses of data collected from 276 manufacturing companies show support for formulating supply integration as a multi-faceted construct that includes investments, practices and structures that support materials/goods flow, information flow, planning and control, and organization. Hypotheses that link trust, commitment and mutual dependence to supply integration are supported; while a projected negative association between dependence asymmetry and supply integration is not. In addition to the relational antecedents, organizational size is also found to have a strong influence on the level of supply integration between manufacturing firms and their suppliers.