Supply chain integration in consolidated startups: a relational view

Abstract

This research examines supply chain integration among startups in the consolidation stage using relational view (RV) theory. We focus on interorganizational dynamics among stakeholders, considering the role of supply chain integration as a favorable context for co-creation and strategic collaboration. A qualitative approach was adopted based on 20 semi-structured interviews with founders and managers of Brazilian startups. Data analysis explored the four determinants of the RV (relation-specific assets, knowledge-sharing routines, complementary resources and effective governance) and their influence on supply chain integration. The study identifies four supply chain integration models: Static, Marketplace, Two-sided and Open. The models represent varying levels of collaborative intensity, reflecting different degrees of integration with suppliers and customers. These models are shaped by startups' ability to mobilize RV determinants. Higher levels of integration are associated with greater responsiveness to market demands. The findings extend the RV by demonstrating that its determinants vary configurationally across integration archetypes rather than increasing uniformly. A framework is proposed to explain how consolidated startups engage in transactional supply chain relationships and orchestrate co-creation by mobilizing digital interfaces, complementary partner capabilities and governance mechanisms. This research advances theoretical understanding by extending the RV to the consolidation stage of startups, a lifecycle stage often overlooked in literature. It also offers a novel framework for classifying supply chain integration models in digitally enabled ecosystems, providing actionable insights for startups and supply chain partners operating in competitive and uncertain environments.