Order from chaos: A meta‐analysis of supply chain complexity and firm performance

Increased globalization, varying customer requirements, extended product lines, uncertainty regarding supplier performance, and myriad related factors make supply chains utterly complex. While previous research indicates that chain complexity plays an important role in explaining performance outcomes, the accumulating evidence is ambiguous. Thus, a finer-grained analysis required. By meta-analyzing 27,668 observations across 102 independent samples from 123 empirical studies, we examine link between firm performance. preponderance of studies identifies as detrimental to our results illustrate although has negative effect on operational it positive innovation financial Furthermore, also distinguish among different levels (i.e., upstream, downstream, internal) observe nuanced findings. Finally, findings reveal moderating effects construct operationalization study design characteristics. We discuss implications for theory practice provide avenues future research.