Purpose: The aim of this paper is to examine the state of knowledge management research in
supply chain management from three standpoints, methodological approach, supply chain
management area, and knowledge management processes.
Design/methodology/approach: To achieve this, a systematic review is conducted over the
period 2000-2014 on the basis of a qualitative content analysis.
Findings: Major results showed that knowledge management can be viewed as a leverage
mechanism for: (i) supply chain integration; (ii) the enhancement of intra and inter-relations across
the supply chain; (iii) supply chain strategy alignment; and (iv) the reinforcement of knowledge
transfer in product development. Some supply chain management areas such as reverse logistics,
inventory management, forecasting/demand planning, outsourcing, and risk management have
been explored only to some extent. Furthermore, knowledge transfer is being studied in the
majority of the articles, mainly by both case study and survey approach; mathematical models and
simulation techniques are used in very limited articles. Findings concerning theoretical
perspectives and managerial issues are also described. Research limitations/implications: The limitation of our study encompasses the aspects of
search period (2000-2014), selection of search databases (Web of Science and SCOPUS and
language selection (English).
Practical implications: The exhibition of the KM processes within the SC context may help
practitioners and managers interested in implementing KM initiatives to replicate the
methodologies in order to increase the possibilities of a successful KM adoption.
Originality/value: The systematic review will contribute to the understanding of the present
state of research in the knowledge management theory, with focus on the supply chain, as there
are no state-of-knowledge studies that report a systematic literature review approach.Peer Reviewe