Post on 18-Dec-2015
Design Science Research:Approaching SCM as Technology
Identifying and developing novel technology based practices
jan.holmstrom@aalto.fi
My research group in brief• Situated in the Department of Industrial Engineering and
Management, Aalto University, School of Science• Practice oriented research funded by industrial partners,
Finnish governmental bodies, and EU • Basic interest: Technology enabled innovation in OM and SCM• Research approach: Design science research
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Why a design approach?• Technology the purposeful use of knowledge
=> SCM is technology
• Technology ‘evolves’ through combinations. For example:- E-grocery = Internet + Last mile logistics- Embedded control of material flows = Product identification + Internet + Product model
• New combinations are designed, but designs are constrained by - bounded rationality of designers and users- unintended consequences
=> Necessary to work on solution design in real problem contexts
Explanation and designExplanatory research Design science
research
The phenomenon ”out there” to be created(by combination)
Data collected and analyzed created and analyzed
Reasoning/research design
hypothetico-deductive, inductive
abductive, design principles
End product explanatory theory, prediction
artifact (e.g., technology, process)
Disciplinary basis natural and social science engineering
Knowledge interest cognitive pragmatic
Holmström, J., Ketokivi, M., and Hameri A.-P., 2009, “Bridging practice and theory: a design science perspective”, Decision Sciences, Vol. 40, No. 1, pp. 65-97
Design science research process
Possibility Recognizing a possibility of new combination
Idea how Recognizing an opportunity for solutions
Details specified Selecting specific solutions
Working solution Proving it works
Enabling adoption Convincing potential users
First order effects
Getting some (but not all) intended benefits
Third order effects
Context of use is transformed for good and bad
Second order effects
Technologies are combined and configured in unanticipated ways
“Phenomenon
does not exist”
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“Phenomenon
exists”
Emerging possibility: Direct digital manufacturing
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
1404.5
802.6
468.2
225
Year
Day
s to
pri
nt
Time to print mid-size car body in steel
Potential impact on supply chain management domain
Tool-based manufacturing
Direct digital manufacturing
Emerging research questions
Economies of scale and scope
Specialized suppliers in global supply chains
Pools of local (generalized) service providers
What determines the trade-off to switch to supply via direct digital manufacturing? What capabilities are needed to harness the value-added from direct digital manufacturing?
Product improvement
Replacement: develop new models
Upgrade/ refurbish: ability to improve products-in-use
Can direct digital manufacturing function as a service platform?
Intellectual property rights (IPR)
Controlled designs and tools
Global distribution of design models required for localized direct digital manufacturing
How can firms protect their IPR? How should firms deal with non-approved suppliers that prints spares and add-ons parts for its products?
Discussion piece to be published
Welcome to discuss on the Operations & Supply Management (OSM) Forum
http://wpcarey.asu.edu/research/jom/osm-forum