Wisdom from Arabian networks: a review and theory of regional supply chain management

The purpose of this article is to present a systematic review of the supply chain management (SCM) research on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Using 75 journal articles from high quality SCM-related publication outlets, the review finds three main SCM complexities of managing supply chain uncertainty: (i) strategically selecting and integrating network resources, (ii) reliably contracting and delivering high-quality solutions, and (iii) cost-effectively controlling and financing operational expansions. The review also finds that managers configure supply chains involving GCC countries with emphasis on ‘productivity–efficiency’, ‘relationship-building’, ‘technology-enabling’, ‘environmental-consciousness’, and ‘conformance-improvement’ orientations. These orientations represent the different themes for competitiveness at chain–chain levels. With insights from the review, the article develops foundations for an orientation theory, a culturation theory and an organic view of supply chains. The article also discusses prospects for future regional SCM research.