Inter-organizational Knowledge Sharing in a Build-to-Order Supply Network: Tensions between knowledge forms and network objectives

Research in supply chain management and strategic management suggests that inter-organizational knowledge sharing is a crucial enabler of any supply chain or network. One of the keys to understanding build-to-order supply network complexity is to recognize and assess the conflicts in such a network that results from mixing lean and agile manufacturing objectives in the same network. The theoretical results formalize the supporting roles of two dominant forms of knowledge content shared in a BOSN so that the network can achieve its objectives. The theoretical propositions suggest that different Knowledge Communication Systems are suitable for different build-to-order supply network objectives. Based on these theoretical results, we identify and conceptualize a conflict that can be present in a BOSN, and offer approaches to alleviate them.