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NOFOMA Conference Special Issue on Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Edited by Trond Hammervoll and Leif-Magnus Jensen
1 Introduction
The dynamic capability (DC) concept has gained tremendous attention since it was first introduced by [45] Teece et al. (1997). It aims at explaining how companies can achieve competitive advantage in dynamic markets ([45] Teece et al. , 1997; [13] Eisenhardt and Martin, 2000). Another fast growing branch of research is sustainable supply chain management (SSCM), evident by the growing number of published papers throughout the last few years ([41] Seuring and Müller, 2008b). Similar to the DC concept, SSCM examines management strategies to adapt to sudden changes, risks and opportunities in the market and how to influence and control their environment to achieve competitive advantage. Studies show that certain characteristics are recurring in SSCM practices. Among these are long-term relationships, top management support, cooperation along the supply chain, supplier development and enhanced communication.
Supply chains and respective products with added sustainability criteria are prone to even more dynamic changes than "conventional" markets due to factors like instant changes in customer behavior or higher influence of non-governmental organizations ([22] Hall, 2000). Furthermore, pursuing a long-term sustainability strategy grants competitive advantage (Hart, 1995). Despite the fact that SCM and DC are both growing branches in research and have both been in the focus of the scientific community for several years now, the linkage between the two topics is still very thin and SCM research has been slow in taking up the DC concept ([10] Defee and Fugate, 2010). An approach that combines SSCM and DC is missing completely so far.
The paper aims at providing a theoretical framework based on SSCM practices with the application of DC theory by identifying and connecting special DCs to these recurring practices. It is a theoretically driven paper in which a framework is developed that will be a guideline for future research linking the discussed branches together. It is grounded in relevant literature. Existing literature can be included and merged into a framework, which in itself does not compose a theory, but rather reflects a step in theory building ([30] Meredith, 1993). As such it can be considered as pre-theory which does not meet all criteria necessary to be considered theory,...