Many theoretical contributions and lots of
empirical evidence suggest that there are benefits to be
gained from integrating purchasing, mantifacturing and
logistics. Though organizational and operations
management scholars recognize that communication is
a key antecedent of internal integration, little field
research has been conducted on how companies
actually create intemal integration by leveraging on
formal and informal commtmication over time. Based
on a case study of a leading company in the Italian
mineral water and soft drink industry, this paper seeks
to fill this gap as it provides a model e.xplaining how the
interaction among formal and informal communication
mechanisms can facilitate or hinder internal
inicgration. The research provides a better
understanding of the complex net of interactions among
formal, informal communication and integration that
managers can use as a guidance to properly address
improvement initiatives.
