An exploration into reductionistic and holistic perspectives of supply chain practitioners using systems thinking: a mixed-methods study

Purpose Turbulent conditions confront supply chain practitioners, who respond by deploying interventions. Against this backdrop, is the paradigmatic perspective aligned with the supply chains they are part of? To what extent is there a misalignment between practitioner perspectives and the requirements of the system in which they operate? Design/methodology/approach Taking a systems thinking approach, this research examines 15 senior Australian supply chain practitioners through the application of a novel construct (spectrum of the whole), integrating knowledge from the transdisciplinary fields of systems thinking and supply chain management. A mixed-methods approach reveals the perspectives practitioners adopted (quantitative) and, through semi-structured interviews (qualitative), surfaces practitioners' orientations towards Reductionism and/or Holism. Findings The findings surface a recurring misalignment between the paradigmatic perspective adopted and the systems in which it is applied, specifically those characterised as complicated and complex. The authors argue that supply chain practitioners need to be cognisant of their paradigmatic perspective to navigate the prevailing conditions more effectively, particularly when they are primarily oriented towards Reductionism followed closely by Functionalism. Research limitations/implications The spectrum combines Reductionism and Holism, reframing them as a spectrum rather than a dichotomy. As an exploratory framework, further empirical research is necessary. Practical implications Practitioners are provided with a heuristic tool to surface their paradigmatic perspective, which can facilitate recognition of misalignments across supply chain actors that may otherwise remain unexamined. Social implications This research challenges the prevailing thinking, emphasising an appreciation of the whole, when there is clear evidence of Reductionistic approaches and the implications of managing the supply chain. Originality/value This research introduces a spectrum-based approach to examine practitioner perspectives, moving beyond binary treatments of Reductionism and Holism in Supply Chain Management research.