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Chinese Journal of Management Science ›› 2026, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (5): 295-309.doi: 10.16381/j.cnki.issn1003-207x.2024.2267

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Research Dynamics of Supply Chain Signaling Theory: Perspectives, Veins, Controversies and Blind Spots

Qiuxiang Li1,2, Shuge Zhang2, Baofeng Huo3, Zhaofang Mao4, Yimin Huang5()   

  1. 1.Institute of Management Science and Engineering,Henan University,Kaifeng 475001,China
    2.College of Business,Henan University,Kaifeng 475001,China
    3.School of Management,Zhejiang University,Hangzhou 310058,China
    4.Department of Management and Economics,Tianjin University,Tianjin 300072,China
    5.School of Management and Economics,North China University of Water Conservancy and Electric Power,Zhengzhou 450045,China
  • Received:2024-12-16 Revised:2025-05-10 Online:2026-05-25 Published:2026-04-21
  • Contact: Yimin Huang E-mail:huang800526@163.com

Abstract:

The prevalent information asymmetry problem in supply chain seriously restricts its overall effectiveness. Promoting the in-depth development of supply chain signaling theory is a key prerequisite for optimizing supply chain management and enhancing industrial competitiveness. In order to further optimize the supply chain signaling mechanism, improve the transparency and collaborative efficiency of the supply chain, and realize the efficient operation and sustainable development of the supply chain, the quantitative method of mapping is used to sort out and analyze the theoretical research dynamics of the supply chain signaling theory based on the CNKI and Web of Science databases. Firstly, based on the existing research, the research perspectives of supply chain signaling are sorted out, focusing on the core elements of supply chain management: demand, cost, and quality, and summarizing the focuses of the existing signaling research and the future research trends from this perspective. Secondly, it clarifies the theoretical development of supply chain signaling, and establishes “the origin of supply chain signaling mechanism-the revelation of supply chain signaling mechanism-the realization of supply chain signaling mechanism” as the main research vein. It establishes “the origin of supply chain signaling mechanism-revealed supply chain signaling mechanism-realization of supply chain signaling mechanism” as the main research vein. Once again, the controversy of the current supply chain signaling theory research is discussed in terms of the role, authenticity and effectiveness of signaling. Finally, the future research direction of supply chain signaling theory is proposed in the context of current economic globalization and supply chain digitalization. Thus, the systematic review of supply chain signaling theory in this paper is of great significance in promoting the in-depth development of supply chain signaling theory, which in turn contributes to the efficient operation and sustainable development of supply chains.

Key words: signaling, supply chain, information asymmetry, literature review

CLC Number: