Collaborative supply chain: a conceptual model for operationalisation

The aim of this study was to develop a conceptual model for establishing cooperation, coordination and collaboration in supply chains. The literature review revealed: 1) nine characteristics that the relationship among companies developing collaboration in the supply chain should embody; 2) ten behaviours that companies developing collaboration in the supply chain should adopt. The characteristics and behaviours were employed in order to design a conceptual model, which is developed as a ladder of three major steps. The first step consists of characteristics and behaviours required for a cooperative relationship. The second step comprises the requirements for coordination. The third and final step displays the characteristics and behaviours enablers of collaborative practices in supply chains.