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This paper aims to explain and demonstrate how the Repertory Grid Technique (RGT) and Honey’s Content Analysis (HCA) can make new contributions to the field of Operations and Supply Chain Management (OSCM). The proposition involves integrating these complementary analyses to fortify the rigor of qualitative research and establish robust data analysis protocols to identify the main attributes of interviewees regarding a phenomenon while understanding in their perspective how these attributes impact the desired analysis outcome.

This study uses examples with rich empirical data from 40 interviewees across two organizations. The examples use a protocol that allows the grouping of meanings from different knowledgeable individuals and capturing relevant constructs related to an outcome.

The combination of RGT and HCA permits researchers to effectively identify and analyze the constructs individuals and groups utilize to comprehend the subject matter under investigation. Consequently, these techniques present a structured means to conduct grounded theory investigations and interpretive research, thereby enabling the iterative development of the preliminary conceptual models necessary for OSCM field advancement.

We present two examples in which the protocol is applied to the field of OSCM. These examples illustrate that the techniques provide valuable opportunities for OSCM research, particularly for addressing the limitations related to sample size. Ultimately, RGT and HCA complement quantitative methodologies by uncovering nuanced variations and micro-foundations within firm- and network-level phenomena, offering insights essential for advancing our understanding of OSCM dynamics in specific contexts.

Organizations are increasingly making commitments and equity pledges to racially diversify their supply chain. While such commitments are commendable, historical attempts at reform have experienced limited success. This suggests that there is a need for organizations to understand the hurdles and complexity that might limit impact, and then be intentional when taking action.

In this study, we conduct an inductive, qualitative investigation involving five organizations in Indianapolis USA. Three are corporations that had made a commitment to and are actively trying to racially diversify their supply chain. The other two are support organizations that serve as a link between suppliers and corporations.

The results identify three levels of interrelated management challenges associated with racially diversifying the supply chain at the industry, strategy, and operation levels.

Strategies for overcoming the challenges when integrating racial diversity into the supply chain are discussed, and a set of directional questions are provided to help organizations with their quest to racially diversify their supply chains.