This document outlines a research study on barriers and enablers to the diffusion of best practices within UK supply chains. It notes that effective transfer of knowledge between supply chain tiers can improve productivity but gaps exist in adoption of best practices between tiers. The study aims to 1) identify how best practices are distributed across UK supply chains and adoption gaps, 2) determine barriers and enablers to knowledge diffusion, 3) examine mechanisms of diffusion along supply chains, and 4) inform policy to promote knowledge diffusion. A qualitative interview approach will be used with companies in selected supply chains to gather a rich picture of practice adoption, diffusion, and policy opportunities.

1. Best practice diffusion in UK supply
chains: barriers, enablers and policy
Stephen Roper, Nola Hewitt-Dundas,
Maria Wishart

2. Starting points
• Diffusion of best practice technologies (management and digital) is
important in raising productivity
• Trusted – and long-term - relationships can be critical to the
effective transfer of best practice. This focuses attention on supply
chains
• But, existing evidence suggests significant gaps exist between
supply chain tiers in terms of their adoption of best practice
techniques
• Questions here are therefore
– (1) What are the barriers and enablers of best practice diffusion in
supply chains?
– (2) How can policy be designed to encourage diffusion and so improve
productivity outcomes?

3. Diffusion in supply chains
Distributions of knowledge gaps in best practice use within multi-national groups
(left) and supply-chains (right). Key message is diffusion in supply chains is slower and
best practice less evenly adopted. Source: Crone and Roper, 2001.

4. Building blocks
Key insights
OECD (2015) Frontier firms have better technology and can be 5 x
more productive than non-frontier firms. National
technology champions are three times as important
for diffusion as global champions
Valentim, L Aydin, A., & Parker, R.
P. (2018).
Market and technological factors may shape the
most appropriate level of intervention in a supply
chain (conceptual)
Todo, Y., Matous, P., & Inoue, H.
(2016).
Diversified links may facilitate innovation. Too close
ties (closed networks) may generate lock-in. Be
careful what you wish for!
Crone, M., & Roper, S. (2003) Best practice adoption can vary widely between
supply chain tiers. Diffusion is a strategic decision
not operational in most cases
Crone, M., & Roper, S. (2001) Lags in adoption are measurable and comparable
across supply chain tiers

5. Research questions
1. How are best practice technologies distributed across UK
supply chains? How big are the gaps in adoption and
utilization? What does ‘good’ look like?
2. What are the barriers and enablers of knowledge diffusion:
operational, strategic, tactical? Could reflect challenges both
for knowledge providers and recipients.
3. What are the key mechanisms of best practice diffusion
along supply chains?
4. How can policy be designed to promote knowledge diffusion
along supply chains?

6. Research approach
• Focus on UK supply chains and partners in (perhaps) Aerospace,
Automotive, Food, Electronics, Plastics
• Partner with industry representative bodies and organisations
notably ‘Innovation Alliance’ to help with access
• Approach is qualitative – face to face or telephone interviews. Aim
10-15 interviews per supply chain
• ‘Progressive’ sampling to progress down tiers of supply-chain
linking from one firm to its suppliers. Confidentiality assurances will
be key.
• Analysis qualitative and should provide a rich picture of best
practice adoption and use, diffusion and potential policy
opportunities

7. Project timeline
Research question Timing
Identification of target supply chains,
building access, questionnaire
development
July – August
Lead interviews with OEMs and 1st tier
suppliers
Sept to Nov
Interviews with 2nd and 3rd tier suppliers Dec to Feb – Interim report
(internal and funder circulation)
Interviews with 4th tier suppliers March to April
Analysis and reporting May to June – Research Paper 1

8. References
Valentim, L Aydin, A., & Parker, R. P. (2018). ' Innovation and technology diffusion
in competitive supply chains. European Journal of Operational Research, 265(3),
1102-1114. doi:10.1016/j.ejor.2017.08.047
Todo, Y., Matous, P., & Inoue, H. (2016). The strength of long ties and the
weakness of strong ties: Knowledge diffusion through supply chain networks.
Research Policy, 45(9), 1890-1906. doi:10.1016/j.respol.2016.06.008
Crone, M., & Roper, S. (2003). Knowledge Complementarity and Co-Ordination in
the Local Supply Chain: Some Empirical Evidence. British Journal of
Management, 14(4), 339-357.
OECD. (2015). The Future of Productivity, Paris.
Crone, M., & Roper, S. (2001). Local learning from multinational plants:
Knowledge transfers in the supply chain. Regional Studies, 35(6), 535-548.