Cross‐Functional Integration Revisited: Exploring the Conceptual Elephant

Despite multiple decades of previous research, cross‐functional integration (CFI) remains a poorly understood concept. We argue for definitional clarity to differentiate CFI from other related concepts, such as interfirm integration or supply chain integration. We also argue for theoretical grounding to provide context for understanding the role of CFI within a firm as well as between firms. This article provides a foundation for researchers to move forward in creating a broader understanding of CFI as a focal construct of interest within the supply chain domain.     

THE DOMAIN AND SCOPE OF SCM'S FOUNDATIONAL DISCIPLINES — INSIGHTS AND ISSUES TO ADVANCE RESEARCH

The authors examine and take stock of the changing nature and landscape surrounding supply chain management, and the related disciplines of purchasing, operations management, logistics and marketing channels of distribution. They identify, describe and synthesize the nature of research in those academic disciplines that are identified to be some of the objectives with respect to supply chain management's integration goals. Their examination highlights the considerable evolution and significant advances occurring within and among these disciplines. Additionally, they find this new landscape to provide both insights and issues for scholarship to those attempting to understand the evolving nature of supply chain management and its related fields. Such insights and issues suggest a number of proposals for progress with regard to SCM's future development.     

Discussion of "Are special items informative about future profit margins?"

Fairfield et al. (Rev. Account. Stud., 2009. doi:10.1007/s11142-009-9084-9) explore the predictive power of current special items for future profit margins over various forecast horizons. They also provide evidence on how this predictive power varies with current core profit margins. I discuss the motivation for this research and conclude that I am unable to attach a coherent economic story to these results.