Investigating fit in supply chain integration: A systematic literature review on context, practices, performance links

This paper offers a systematic literature review on the fit among context, supply chain integration (SCI) and performance based on the analysis of 116 articles published in 28 peer-reviewed journals. By using Venkatraman's (1989) model, which distinguishes fit into different forms, to frame previous literature, and Hakansson's (1982) interaction model to classify the investigated contextual variables, the present research offers an original lens through which to examine the results found and to identify some open and unsolved issues and opportunities for future research. Based on these results, the research concludes that the most used forms of fit are mediation and moderation. Some examples of popular research topics include the moderating role of uncertainty/complexity in influencing SCI benefits and the role of SCI as a prerequisite for other operations and supply chain management practices. In addition, future research opportunities exist in several areas, including (1) the adoption of a behavioural operations supply chain management perspective and institutional theory to study SCI antecedents, and (2) the study of national culture as a moderator of the link between SCI and performance. However, the most promising research opportunities come from the less used fit forms (e.g. profile deviation and fit as matching) and from combinations of multiple fit forms that could help to address some unsolved issues in SCI, such as the balance between upstream and downstream integration and optimal SCI profiles. The arguments discussed could be useful for both academics and practitioners interested in the SCI-performance link and the role of context.