Organizing for the Future – How Do OSCM Processes and Organization Design Need to Evolve in the Wake of Technological and/or Geopolitical Disruptions?

CALL FOR PAPERS
Organizing for the Future – How Do OSCM Processes and Organization Design Need to Evolve in the Wake of Technological and/or Geopolitical Disruptions?

Journal: International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management
Publisher: Emerald Publishing
Submission Opens: 1 March 2026
Submission Deadline: 31 October 2026

Introduction
This Special Issue investigates how technological advances and geopolitical shifts reshape Operations & Supply Chain Management (OSCM) processes and organization design. Builds on contingency and information‑processing theory (Chandler, Woodward, Galbraith) amid AI, digitalization, trade wars, and supply‑chain shocks (e.g., semiconductors, European Chips Act). Explores structural ambidexterity, “robot bosses,” human‑AI decision‑sharing, and evolving competencies. Seeks theoretically grounded empirical work that advances domain, variables, and outcomes in OSCM organization design.

Guest Editors
Lydia Bals 📧 (lydia.bals@hs‑mainz.de; lb.si@cbs.dk)
Virpi Turkulainen 📧 (virpi.turkulainen@haaga‑helia.fi)

List of Topic Areas

OSCM Processes

• Impact of emerging tech (AI, regenerative AI, blockchains, additive manufacturing) on supply‑network dynamics

• How absorptive capacity and new regulations shift OSCM processes

OSCM Organization Design

• Incorporating tech/geopolitics as contingency factors in procurement, operations, logistics structures

• Human–non‑human co‑design (e.g., “business technologist” roles, AI‑enabled teams)

• Global‑scale design responses to geopolitical risk and resilience (e.g., Carnovale et al.)

Technology‑Based Decision‑Making

• Division of labor between humans and AI; “robot bosses” integration

• Coordination in human‑AI decision‑making as an organization design problem

Competence Development

• Emerging OSCM competencies (sustainable sourcing, digitalization, innovation sourcing)

• Critical incidents and training for future‑ready OSCM professionals

Methodological Scope
Conceptual development, quantitative, qualitative (case studies, action research), and longitudinal studies tracking how OSCM organization design evolved in response to recent disruptions.

Key Deadlines
📅 Proposal/idea submission (recommended): 1 February 2026
📅 Manuscript submission opens: 1 March 2026
⏰ Manuscript submission deadline: 31 October 2026

Submission Guidelines
Submissions via ScholarOne Manuscripts; follow author guidelines strictly. Select the special issue title at the “Please select the issue you are submitting to” step. Proposals (~1,000 words) encouraged before full submission; send to:
📧 lydia.bals@hs‑mainz.de
🌐 Submission Portal: https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/ijpdlm
🌐 Author Guidelines: https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/journal/ijpdlm

About the Journal
International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management (IJP&LM), by Emerald Group Publishing, advances research on logistics, supply chain operations, and physical distribution in a global context.

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