Using mixed methods in logistics and supply chain management (LSCM) research – current state and future directions

Mixed methods research is considered useful to enhance both theoretical and practical research contributions. And yet, single methods have predominated much logistics and supply chain management (LSCM) research. This presentation provides an up-to-date review of mixed methods research in this domain to determine how often they have been used, discuss advantages and inhibitors to doing so, and present suggestions for increasing future use. It describes research which itself adopted a mixed methods approach, investigating four published case studies which used mixed methods, performing a quantitative analysis of methods used in six leading LSCM journals from 2011-20, and undertaking a qualitative e-mail survey of authors of mixed methods articles published during that time. The work described in the presentation aims to guide future researchers who wish to use multiple methods within the LSCM domain.