Flow Coordination and Information Sharing in Supply Chains: Review, Implications, and Directions for Future Research

Funda Sahin
The University of Tennessee, MLT Department, 310 Stokely Management Center, Knoxville, TN 37996-0530, e-mail: fsahin@utk.edu

E. Powell Robinson
Texas A&M University, INFO Department, 322 Wehner Building,
College Station, TX 77843-4217, e-mail: probinson@cgsb.tamu.edu

ABSTRACT. Advances in information technology, particularly in the e-business arena, are enabling firms to rethink their supply chain strategies and explore new avenues for inter-organizational cooperation. However, an incomplete understanding of the value of information sharing and physical flow coordination hinder these efforts. This research attempts to help fill these gaps by surveying prior research in the area, categorized in terms of information sharing and flow coordination. We conclude by highlighting gaps in the current body of knowledge and identifying promising areas for future research.

Subject Areas: e-Business, Inventory Management, Supply Chain Management, and Survey Research.