Improving Supply Chain Performance Through Organizational Design: Insights from key suppliers to the United States Air Force

Authors

  • David J. Ketchen, Jr. Auburn University, College of Business
  • T. Russell Crook The University of Tennessee, College of Business Administration
  • James G. Combs The University of Alabama, Culverhouse College of Commerce
  • J. David Patterson The University of Tennessee, National Defense Business Institute

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7146/jod.6430

Keywords:

Organization design, supply chain management, strategic management, performance

Abstract

Creating organizational designs that maximize performance is a key goal for many executives. We sought to uncover ways that a giant organization – the United States Department of Defense (DoD) – could improve its performance via organazational design changes. Based on input from 80 executives who collectively represent over 60 defense contractors, we found that the DoD could become more efficient and effective by (1) relying on relational contracting within its supply chains, (2) designing better reward systems, (3) focusing on results rather than processes when managing its suppliers, (4) moving its supply chains toward a best value approach, and (5) investing strategically in its workforce. In drawing implications from our findings for organizations in general, we highlight companies that have reaped rewards from making these five moves in the past.

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Published

2012-12-14

How to Cite

Ketchen, Jr., D. J., Crook, T. R., Combs, J. G., & Patterson, J. D. (2012). Improving Supply Chain Performance Through Organizational Design: Insights from key suppliers to the United States Air Force. Journal of Organization Design, 1(3), 64–72. https://doi.org/10.7146/jod.6430

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